The Notes - October 31, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 43

October 31, 2019

Daylight Savings Time
Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour before going to bed Saturday evening. We would love you to be on time for worship, just not an hour early.

All Saints Bell Banners
We encourage you to participate in our bell banner tradition this Sunday, November 3, for All Saints Day. In memory of loved ones that we have lost, we invite you to pin a bell to the ribbons of our banners that will be processed in at the beginning of each service. Please look for the banners, bells, and safety pins before each service this Sunday in both the Sanctuary Narthex and the lobby of Tyson Hall. Everyone is invited to pay tribute to lost loved ones in this gesture of remembrance and celebration.

Boomer Pickleball and Pizza
If you are 50 years or older, please plan on coming by the Lighthouse tomorrow, November 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for a fun evening of pickleball and pizza. Alli McGill will be available to show us how to play pickleball. We will have plenty of free pizza and drinks in the lobby. Please make reservations by contacting Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Carnegie Preview This Sunday
The VHUMC Chancel Choir is partnering with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus and five other churches to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City next April. The newly formed ensemble "Birmingham Voices" consists of singers from Trinity, Cahaba Heights, St. Mark's, and Clanton UMC's, Vestavia Baptist, and the ASOC.

There will be a series of concerts in the Birmingham area to prepare for the Carnegie debut. The first concert will take place at VHUMC this Sunday, November 3, at 6:30 pm, in the Sanctuary. It will feature composer K. Lee Scott's Gloria as well as other selected smaller works. The choir will be conducted by Dr. Quint Harris and accompanied by Karen Krekelberg and the Cathedral Brass ensemble. This is a free event to the public but donations to help cover costs for instrumentalists are accepted and appreciated. For more information contact Quint Harris ([email protected]).

Leftover Halloween Candy
Every year neighborhoods are faced with a bunch of leftover candy after all of the trick-or-treaters have had their fill. So, we have a great idea for all of these sweet treats! Bring any unopened candy and place it in the receptacles at various church entrances. It will be sorted and delivered to several of our local mission organization partners, including our student ministry's Veteran's Day mission to Three Hots and a Cot. Let's give our mission partners a sweet surprise! Look for the candy drop off boxes through November 8.

Charcuterie Class
The holiday events and parties are just around the corner. Would you like to wow your family and friends with your culinary prowess? If so, join us next Wednesday, November 6, at 6:00 pm, in Tyson Hall to master the art of charcuterie. Participants will receive a hand-crafted cutting board and all the essentials to make your own beautiful display to take home that night. There will also be a drawing for two door prizes: a chocolate charcuterie and a breakfast charcuterie. The cost is $35 and you can register online using the link below.

New Construction Updates

We have completed the installation of 48 new lights in the Sanctuary with new dimming and control capabilities. We will be "tweaking" the lights over the next month as we find the optimum setting for each event.
New plants and lights have been installed in front of the Sanctuary and should be completed by this Sunday.
Construction starts Monday to repair and modify all four entrances to the parlor portico. Except for Sundays, the portico will be closed to traffic for the next 2-3 weeks .
Construction also starts Monday on three new in-class restrooms in the pre-school area. This will expand the number of toilets in an area where potty-training is a primary focus. This project should take about six weeks.

Funding for these projects is provided by some generous donations, insurance payments (for portico damage), NEXT Capital Campaign savings, and the Parent Partners (from Whale of a Sale proceeds). Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the building.

Lucy Show Bible Study
The Boomer & Beyond Bible Study will be studying the Lucy Show Bible Study on Thursdays in November (7, 14, and 21), at 6:30 pm, in room 203. Join us as we watch full episodes of the classic Lucy Show and then learn Biblical truths. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Experiential Gratitude
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us will share the Thanksgiving table with family and friends as we count our blessings together. That is a wonderful way to express our gratitude for the good things in our lives, but gratitude cannot be limited to just one day a year. In fact, practicing gratitude can help you make friends, improve your physical health, increase your sense of well-being and happiness, you will sleep longer and better, and be better equipped to overcome trauma and highly stressful situations. With all these benefits to practicing gratitude, your next question might be, "How do I do it?" Join Sherry Harris on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:00 pm, in room 202 as we learn, practice, and experience gratitude exercises and activities together.

Financial Update
It's a great time in the life of our church. We recently completed a very successful fiscal year (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019) both for our General Fund and our NEXT Capital Campaign. Thank you to everyone who contributed to allow our church to continue to grow and spread God's word.

After the first three months of this fiscal year (July - Sept), giving amounts have been lower than expected and we are currently $108k behind our budget. We need your help to make up this gap. If possible, please give to help us finish the calendar year strong and get back on budget.

Additionally, over the next few weeks you will be hearing more about our 2020 Stewardship campaign. Let's have record participation this year and continue to move our church forward.

Your Finance Committee is a diverse group of lay members and clergy who work hard to ensure that our funds are used in the best possible way. Our financial records are always open to our members and Gary, Natalie, John, and I are always happy to answer your questions or concerns about our finances ([email protected]).

William Hocutt, Finance Committee Chairman

Student Ministry Staff Changes
We are excited to share some long-planned changes to our staff responsibilities and titles in Thrive Student Ministries! Click the link for more information about Emily Boles, Jeremiah Stone, Kenzie Butler, Miles Erbe, and our goals for you and your family.

Disciple Fast Track 2
Don't miss the 2nd in the Disciple Fast Track series. Spring 2020 will focus on going deep into Genesis and Exodus. Participants will purchase a study manual with suggested readings of about 30 minutes/day. Groups will meet weekly for 75 minutes, listening to a video and following with facilitated class discussion. The daily reading assignments are shorter than in Fast Track 1 in hopes more time will be spent practicing the spiritual disciplines highlighted in each session.

Please specify days of the week that work best for you to meet in a small group. We will be putting together leaders and participants, based on these preferences. Books are $16 and can be picked up in the church office prior to class starting. Classes will be the weeks of January 12 - April 26.

Welcome New Members
We had three families join our church on Sunday. Please join me in welcoming them into the VHUMC family.

John and Michelle Cole - Joined at 8:30 am
Whit and Megan Kelly - Joined at 9:45 am
Nancy Hobbs and Roy Jones - Joined in the chapel after worship. They attend the 11:00 traditional worship service.

Please find pictures of these families on the monitors across the church, as well as the New Member bulletin board outside the office. If you would like to join VHUMC or have questions about any of the ministries or missions, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136).

New Vinyasa Yoga Class
This class will fire up your strength and core as you practice proper posture alignments, mindfully flow through sequences, and build heat from within by connecting breath with movement. Please join us each Thursday evening, starting November 7, from 5:45-6:30 pm, in the Lighthouse. Classes are only $10 with your Lighthouse membership. Register using the Mindbody app or at the Lighthouse desk.

Raising Awareness Through Orphan Sunday
On Sunday, November 10, VHUMC will recognize Orphan Sunday along with many other churches around the world. Isaiah 1:17 says, "Defend the cause of the fatherless." On this Sunday we will ask ourselves "how is God calling us to care for orphans around us?" and to remember, pray for, and act on behalf of the millions of vulnerable children around the world.

Did you know that there is an orphan crisis in the world today? As God's people, we cannot ignore the crisis of so many children in need. Continuing through the end of the year, we will bring awareness to orphan and foster care ministries in our world. On the first Sunday in Advent, we will recognize the United Methodist Children's Home with a special offering for White Christmas. In January, you will have the opportunity to hear more ways you and your family can get involved with orphan and foster care to make a difference in a child's life.

Please think and pray for God to show you how you can make an impact in the lives of the most vulnerable children. If you would like more information, or to be a part of this team, please contact Kristin Mizerany ([email protected]) or Andrea Barrett ([email protected]).

Magical Marketplace
Magical Marketplace is coming Friday, November 15, with great selections from over 80 vendors - some of your favorites from years past and several new vendors! This is a wonderful time to come shop for all of your Christmas gifts from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, in both Tyson and Fellowship Halls. Get your Christmas shopping done early while helping support one of our mission partners. This year's proceeds will benefit Unless U.

We will also feature a wonderful bake sale and we would love to have your specialty items to sell. If you are able to help us by baking cakes, cookies, pies, or any other specialty goody, we would love to benefit from your skills and tasty creations. If you would like to volunteer for the day, please contact Melinda Burnett ([email protected]).

Behind the Scenes Church Tour
Our VHUMC building has a lot of secrets that you may not know about. Would you like to see the underground river, indoor pool, tv studio, secret tower, food ministry, pottery kiln, and so much more? Join us for a tour on Wednesday, November 13, at 6:00 pm, starting in the Tyson Hall lobby.

Paint Pouring Art Class
Have you ever wondered how to do a pour painting? Paint pouring is a fun and easy way to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Even if you've never painted before and don't consider yourself an artist, this technique is something anyone can do. All it takes is the right supplies and a little know-how, which you'll learn here. Join us in the VHUMC Lighthouse on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:00 pm for a night of fun, fellowship and fancy art! This class is for ages 16 and up, and space is limited. For more information contact Alli McGill ([email protected]).

Family Advent Workshop
We invite families with children ages 3k - 5th grade to join us Wednesday, December 4th, from 6:00-7:00 pm, in Tyson Hall for our Family Advent Workshop. Each family will be making their own Advent calendar. It will be exciting to open the drawers each day of Advent to find scripture and a treat for the day!

Supplies are limited, so don't wait to register! The cost is $15 per family for this event. Contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]) for more information.

Come Share A Bear
All children are invited to bring a new Teddy Bear on "Share A Bear Sunday" for our Fall Mission Project. Please bring the new Teddy Bear to the 8:30 or 11:00 Worship Service on November 24. Our bears will be blessed during the Children's Moment and then given to the children at Children's Harbor. Please contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]) with any questions.

5th Annual Madrigal Dinner

Don't miss our feasting and hilarity, our music and our revelry, at our 5th Annual VHUMC Madrigal Dinner. Our New Life Singers Student Choir will be in full costume and full of clever comedy as we visit a 16th century castle for food, fun, and frolicking. The jester will once again attempt to cause royal mischief and confound the audience with his starring role in "May the Farce Be With You." The dinner will be on Sunday, December 1, at 6:30 pm, in Tyson Hall. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by November 25. For more information, please contact Quint Harris ([email protected] / 769-0114).

Women's Story Teller Groups
We all have a different story, but we also have a part in the larger story of God's love for each one of us. Learning to tell your story allows you to see the many ways God has moved or is moving in your life. But your story should not be told in isolation because hearing it will allow other women to experience God in fresh new ways.

If you are a woman looking for a small group where you can be vulnerable and authentic, join us in these small groups starting the week of January 12. Please complete the online form to indicate what works best (for childcare choose Sunday or Wednesday night). Books are available as we interact with others' stories on the journey to articulate our own.

We look forward to learning together what it means to tell our story and discover how someone else's story can speak into your life and your heart. This class is for women of all ages and stages of life as we experience God's love through the power of a story.

Upcoming VHUMC Trips
Two great trips are being planned for VHUMC. We will be going to Ireland November 2 -11, 2020 and on an Australia / New Zealand cruise in February of 2021. We will have a meeting about the trips on Sunday, November 17, at 3:00 pm, in room 316. Please plan on attending if you are interested in either of these trips. For more information, contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Ongoing Outreach

Urban Ministry Needs Shoes

Got Shoes? Children involved with the Urban Ministry after-school program needs shoe (ages 4-13). Children so often come with shoes that are worn out or too small. If you have gently used shoes that your children no longer wear, please bag them and put them in the wooden bins around the church. We will see that they get to children that need them. This is a project of UMW Circle One.

Food Pantry

Thank you so much to VHHS for the huge food drive last Friday! Thanks also to the leadership team that brought us five trucks of food and unloaded them for us. We have a pantry full of food right now, but need donations to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving. If you would like to help, please make checks to VHUMC marked for food pantry.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission needs working washers & dryers, lamps, end tables, night stands, and working small appliances. They also need children's fall and winter clothing. Call Roddy for a pick-up at 685-5757. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm

Men's Bible Study: Through November 20 - Room 204
Disciple Bible Study: Through November 20 - Various locations
Charcuterie Boards: November 6 - Room 202
Church Tour: November 13 - Tyson Lobby

Menus

November 6 - Greek Chicken Leg Quarters or Swedish Meatballs w/ Gravy, Lemon Rice, Greek Green Beans and Tomatoes, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza
November 13 - Shepherd's Pie or Chicken Spaghetti, Broccoli, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets and Mashed Potatoes
November 20 - Egg Casserole or Boiled Eggs, Bacon or Country Ham, Cheese Grits, Biscuits, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: French Toast Sticks