New World UMC E-News
November 20, 2019
From the Heart of your Pastor:

I have shared with you before about how thankful I am for antibiotics, indoor plumbing, cell phones in case of emergency, and Air Conditioning and Heating in my house and car. These things would never have been possible had someone not seen the need for new developments and changed the way things were being done. Change is not a negative when done with the blessing and guidance of our Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit. Good changes happen to take care of needs in a new way and to reach an unrealized need. 

Sometimes we do not enjoy the change God invites us into…because “we have always done it a certain way” and it is scary to learn something new and trust God. Yet, God is a God that is constantly creating, making new, and changing hearts and minds. God constantly equips people for the leadership and ability to carry out change that makes a difference in His name. As the church, we have the opportunity to be “counter-culture” and introduce change for His purposes in ways that are healthy so the world sees healthy change navigated. 

In the life of a church, before the new year begins is an excellent time to evaluate, reflect, pray, listen for the best practices to reach into the world and invite others to know Jesus. While we do things “a certain way” for a period of time, we must realize that we are always called to lean forward in our thinking, planning, and developing to reach a new generation who does not know Jesus. What about the people who are already a part of the church and growing in their discipleship some will ask? Our response to the question should always be that we invite them to go deeper and celebrate how they now walk with Jesus.

This January we will implement two new changes that the staff has been discussing, praying over and received confirmation of God’s blessing. 1) We will move to a MONTHLY NEWSLETTER appropriately named The New World Newsletter. Each month it will clearly spell out the “who, what, where, when, how and why” of upcoming ministries and events. It will be the responsibility of the ministry team leaders of each area to provide all the information to be published. For example: if the Connection Team is hosting a breakfast, they will provide the who, what, where, when, how and why information - working with staff as needed for fine-tuned details - and then they will send that information to Gail by the SECOND FRIDAY of each month for the next month. The newsletter will go out the third week of the month to inform people of the life of the church for the next month.

2) The second thing to help strengthen communication is that we will create a WEEKLY UPDATE of things to remember to bring, drop off/pick up times, and specific needs that week called NEWS@NEW WORLD. This weekly reminder will go out before noon on MONDAYS. It will not be a reminder of weekly regular meetings and studies as that will be printed on the back of the bulletin and in the monthly newsletter. Reminders and specifics for the weekly update will need to be sent to Gail by FRIDAY MORNING of the prior week. 

We will be unable to extend deadlines as it affects other areas of ministry that are equally as important to be completed each week. We are very excited to offer clearer ways to be in communication with the people of this great church and those who do not yet have a church home. Our first DEADLINE, for the January Newsletter is: DECEMBER 13 th. Please send your information to:  gail@nwumc.org . If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Proud to be your pastor,
Leslie
Women's Emmaus Walk #446
February 20-23, 2020
Glen Lake Camp  
If you want to experience a deeper walk in your faith journey, hear 15 excellent short talks on Christian basics and ho w Jesus invites us to experience agape love, spend time with other women (women’s walks) and men (men’s walks) laughing, sharing conversation, all in a learning environment, spend some great time in worship and breaking bread together through meal fellowship – then you would love the Walk To Emmaus Spiritual Retreat. Developed by The Upper Room Ministries in connection with the Cursillo Movement, this retreat is offered by The Central Texas Conference 10 times a year. The next walk in our district is a Women’s Walk held at Glen Lake Methodist Camp in Glen Rose, Feb. 20-23 rd . You can get an application from Pastor Leslie or Sarah Cantrell. This walk will fill rapidly, so do not wait. Come experience the depth of the love of Jesus Christ.
Blue Christmas Service
As the holidays approach, for some it is the hardest time of the year. They are going through a difficult time in life or the loss of a person or a dream or expectation. New World UMC understands this and wants to offer a time and place to sit in the presence of God for reflection asking God to comfort the heart and provide hope. On December 8th, from 3:00-4:00 pm you are invited to a Blue Christmas worship service hosted by our Stephen Ministry and led by Rev. Leslie Byrd and Stephen Ministers. You are welcome to bring a picture of a loved one who has passed to place on a tree for remembering. The service will be held in room 25 & 26 which will offer a smaller intimate setting for a holy hour of healing and hope. 
A Remembering Tree
The remembering tree is a Christmas tree where one may bring a 4 x 6 photo or smaller in a frame, or as an ornament, of a loved one who has passed away. It will be located in the concourse area and will allow you to remember and celebrate someone whose life touched yours and will be missed this Christmas. The tree will be available December 1st. You may pick your photo ornament back up after Christmas.
Prime Timers Lunch
For our December lunch we’ll enjoy some gospel music from Sara & John DeMore. 

The meal will be catered; price TBD. No reservations required. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 on Tuesday, December 10. Guests welcome!
Christmas Decorating
November 24, 25 & 26
The Advent season is upon us and we need your help decorating. If you are available, even if it's just for an hour, please contact Steven Couch, steven@nwumc.org.
The Giving Tree Update
The Giving Tree Update

This Christmas season, New World UMC has partnered with Arlington ISD Student Outreach Services to help provide Christmas presents and school clothes for children in north Arlington. Many AISD students in the Families in Transition (FIT) program look like everyone else walking the halls of a school; few would know the challenges they face when the school doors are closed, challenges like homelessness and food insecurity.
 
In the past two weeks, all 99 children representing 40 different families have been adopted for Christmas gift giving!  You can still take part in this amazing ministry. Here are the next steps:

If you’ve adopted a Giving Tree tag:

  1. Purchase at least one clothing item and one wish list item from the gift wish lists provided
  2. Wrap the gifts and place them in a large plastic bag (available at the church)
  3. Clearly label the outside of the bag with the Giving Tree Number (you can use the tag)
  4. Return to New World UMC’s church office by Wednesday, December 4.

Another way to get involved:

Homemade cookies are needed! As the 40 families come to New World Dec. 9-11 to pick up their presents, we would love to bless them with a tin of homemade Christmas cookies. Please bring cookies labeled “The Giving Tree” to the church by Sunday, December 8. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Erin Jackson, erin@nwumc.org .
Be a “Bell Ringer” for the Salvation Army
Red Kettle Campaign
This year, New World will adopt the Red Kettle at Kroger on Lamar. Volunteers are needed “to ring the bell” for a 2 hour shift between 10:00 am - 8:00 pm on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, starting December 5 and ending December 21. All ages are welcome! Money raised through this campaign stays with our local Salvation Army.
  
Michelle Frawley – email: bmcdfrawley@sbcglobal.net
or text - 817-726-1095
Women’s Retreat
January 17-19, 2020
All women are invited for our relaxing and uplifting Annual Women’s Retreat, January 17-19! This will be a wonderful weekend away for women of all ages for  relaxation, building friendships, and learning about Jesus . We will be staying in the beautiful Alamo Lodge at Camp Hoblitzelle, and we will offer several workshops and small group times. Our guest leader will be the inspiring Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez of Arborlawn UMC in Ft. Worth. This is a perfect opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor!

If you are interested in helping with retreat plans and leadership, contact Rev. Erin.

Cost of the retreat is $170 and includes all meals and a 2-person hotel-style room. Scholarships are available. Space is limited to 40 participants, so reserve your space now by signing up at church in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, or emailing Pastor Erin ( erin@nwumc.org ) and paying your $85 nonrefundable deposit by December 15th.
UMW Bake Sale
THIS SUNDAY
The United Methodist Women's Bake Sale will be this Sunday, November 24, from 8:00 - 12:30.

Be sure to stop by early to pick some goodies for Thanksgiving! The proceeds will go to support the mission of New World.
Amazon Smile
You Can Donate While You Shop!
With the busiest shopping days around the corner, don't forget to use Amazon Smile. Amazon Smile is a way for you to support the missions of New World every time you shop with Amazon. You will find the same Amazon you know and love, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the price of eligible purchases to New World.

HERE'S HOW TO SHOP AMAZON SMILE:


  • Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials

  • Search & select the charity: New World United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX

  • Start shopping!

If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
Winter Manna Bags
On Sunday, December 15 th we will have one worship service at 10:30 am. You are invited to come an hour beforehand for breakfast and a church-wide service project!

What’s a manna bag?
Manna Bags are an ongoing ministry of our church. Each week we try to have pre-assembled bags of bottled water, nonperishable foods, clean socks and an encouraging note for church members to carry in their cars, ready to pass out to people in need.

God has done amazing things through the simple gift of sharing a manna bag. Church members have shared stories about people being deeply moved and excited over something as simple as a pair of socks. As temperatures drop, we hope to assemble 240 winter manna bags to be given to our neighbors.

How can you help? You can help with this project by signing up to bring some of the items in by Sunday, December 15th. Here is a link to a Sign-Up form so we can make sure to have enough of everything: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4FAFA929ABFF2-newworld1

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Erin erin@nwumc.org

Blessings,
Rev. Erin
You are invited to New World’s
United Methodist Women’s Christmas Party
The women and men of New World, and their guests, are invited to New World’s United Methodist Women’s
Christmas Party.

Friday, December 6, 2019
6:30 – 8:30 pm
 At the Pebblebrook Clubhouse
1001 W Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76012

Enjoy a variety of potluck appetizers and desserts

Donation requests of a $10 child’s gift
or $10 Wal-Mart/Target gift card
Gifts will be donated to
 Arlington Charities Christmas Store

Please bring a finger food/appetizer or dessert to serve 10 – 12 people along with your $10 gift

RSVP to Leslie Qualman, 817-821-0057 or alq77@sbcglobal.net  
by Friday, November 29, 2019
 
Instructions for parking: Parking is available inside
Pebblebrook Village either in front of the clubhouse or along
the right hand side of the street. The front gate code is 208,
Charlotte Cramer will answer, say UMW and she will open the gate.
Salvation Army Kitchen Ministry
The Salvation Army Kitchen Ministry of New World is looking for volunteers to help with the following dates in 2020.
If you or your group are available to help, please contact Sylvia Allenbach for more information.

January 11, need 2 people  
February 8, need 4 people 
March 14, need 2 people  
April 11, need 4 people  
May 9, need 4 people
Save the Date
Christmas Caroling - December 15
(Following the One Worship Service of Music)
The children and youth are going to sing Christmas Carols for the residents at the Waterford on Cooper. We will have pizza for lunch and then caravan to the Waterford. 

In Sunday school, we are making a giant Christmas Card to give to the residents for their Dining Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread Christmas joy with others in our neighborhood.
Put this date on your calendar and join us.  
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
We have a brand-new TV and computer in the Children’s Wing in Room 8,9,10. This is a wonderful upgrade from what we had! We will enjoy it on Sunday mornings for Sunday school. We use audio visuals every Sunday with our lesson. The preschool will use it to enhance their curriculum during the week. We are very grateful to Chris Church and Jay Johnson for this and for helping us all the time with our technology at the church! 
December 15 is our One Worship Service of Music
The Joyful Noise and Good News Choir will be singing during this special service. There will more information in the next Newsletter about times for the children to be at the church and what the children should wear.

Joyful Noise is for children 4 years old – 2 nd grade. They rehearse on Sunday mornings following the children’s time during the 9:30 am worship service. The children were thrilled to have Ms. Jinah back this past Sunday!

The Good News Choir is for 3 rd grade – 5 th grade and they rehearse on Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm. 

Come join us as we learn the music to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.  
Christmas Eve Worship
The children will be reenacting the Christmas story during our 6:00 pm worship service.  All children are invited to participate. There is not a rehearsal for this. As you arrive for worship, drop by the Fellowship Hall with your children let us help them select a costume.
Important Youth Dates

November 24
No Hands & Feet
No Shine
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

December 1
Shine ~ 5:00 - 7:00

December 14
Progressive Dinner
Address and details to come!
**MID-WINTER 2020**  
January 31-February 2, 2020
Individual registration for mid-winter is now open. Mid-winter is a retreat for grades 6-12 at Glen Lake Camp in Glen Rose, TX.
It is a weekend full of games, devotionals, worship, and fun.
Contact Sarah with any questions! 
Verse of the Week
“if you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with
reverence, serve you” -
Psalm 130:3-4
Our Gifts
Text To Give:
817-789-4129
2201 N. Davis Drive . Arlington, TX 76012 . 817-460-4212 . nwumc.org