Youth Christmas Fundraiser

The youth are excited to offer their annual Christmas fundraiser again this year! We are selling Christmas wreaths, centerpieces, and reindeer that can be preordered and picked up at the church on Sunday, December 4th. New this year: we are also offering an option that will ship anywhere in the continental US! 

There are three ways to order:

1. Visit https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/HOLYouth (credit card or PayPal payment options)
2. Email Emily (emily.basic@gmail.com) with your order (check and cash payment only) 
3. Find a youth after service the next three weeks to order in person (check and cash payment only) 

All orders are due by Sunday November 6th. Checks can be made out to Heart of Longmont with "youth fundraiser" on the memo line. 

Items can be picked up on Sunday December 4th at 11:15 am at the Heart of Longmont Church. 

As always, thank you for supporting our youth! All proceeds will go to our youth missions trip savings fund.

Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the United Methodist denomination’s largest church, recently created a video series in response to misinformation about the “split” in the United Methodist Church. You can watch the video series on the Proud To Be UMC website by clicking here.

We here at Heart of Longmont are passionate about our United Methodist roots and plan to stay faithfully connected to the United Methodist Church. We are #ProudToBeUMC.

Volunteer to Help at Santa's Workshop!

It's not too early to start planning our Christmas activities. Please consider volunteering for this fun new event!

Santa's Workshop will allow children who have no means to give a gift to their beloved adult a way to do so.  We will be inviting our congregation to donate either money that we will give to the children to use to purchase the gifts or personal items from your home that you believe they would enjoy giving to their loved ones.  Tie’s, jewelry, and games  are generally items the kids love to gift.  Look through your homes and see what it is that you don’t use anymore, that would make a nice gift.

  

If you prefer a more ‘hands on’ approach to volunteering for this event you can consider being a 'personal shopper' that will guide the young shopper in picking out a special gift for their parent or siblings.  Or you can help at the card station, the wrapping station, serving hot chocolate or helping with Santa.  Please sign up via the Signup Genius link provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Grafelman at tricia@heartoflongmont.org

On October 23, volunteers got together to put together Chef Hearty meal bags for Wild Plum families. Check out these photos!

Last weekend was the Habitat for Humanity Apostles Build.

Check out these photos from the build:

Miracle Window Update

Last week Watkins Stained Glass Restoration Company successfully removed the Starburst section. It has been taken to their shop for repairs and straightening.

The Washer and Dryer have been installed and are operational. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. What a wonderful gift to the children in our community!

November Compassion Offering 

VETERANS COMMUNITY PROJECT TINY HOUSES

VCP Village - Longmont is a crossover venture between Veterans Community Project, the City of Longmont, and HMS Development. Located on a 2-acre property,  approximately 13 miles northeast of Boulder, the Village will feature 26 tiny houses  and a 3,000-square foot Community Center. Each single residency home will be 240- square feet; the Village's five family homes are 340-square feet and can sleep up to 7. 

VCP Village provides everything a Veteran needs to live with dignity and safety;  trauma-informed design with new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, and  utilities, free of charge. More importantly, VCP Village provides sanctuary and the  emotional space needed for the Veteran and VCP’s Veteran Support Services team to  thoroughly address the underlying causes of his or her homelessness. 

Once desired goals are met, VCP assists each Veteran in securing a permanent  housing solution and continues follow-up case management for a year. Each Veteran  is allowed to take the entire contents of his or her tiny home as they transition to a new life. 

On November 13th, a representative of Veterans Community Project will be with us to  tell us more and take questions. 



Please consider supporting this deeply effective and important organization.

Financial Update

September was a challenging month financially for HOL. Our giving was down from August and our trend, while our expenses were higher than expected or our trend. Our overall church finances continue to be slightly better than the 2022 budget, with income at nearly 76.5% of the annual budget and expenses at 72% of the annual budget (75% of the year is complete). However, it should be noted that the 2022 approved budget was a loss of $70,885; our expectation in setting the budget was that our income would exceed the budget and expenses will be lower so our loss for the year would be less.

As mentioned last month, YTD income and net income (deficit) comparisons to 2021 will be impacted for the balance of the year as HOL was the beneficiary in June 2021 of the forgiveness of the PPP loan of $37,900. No such benefit is forthcoming in 2022.

Without the PPP loan forgiveness, income for the year is up $ 18,435 (7.4%) thanks primarily to a couple large contributions in January and a large contribution in August.

Expenses are up $18,261 (6.4%) from 2021. The largest variances to budget continues to be for our facility operations where our building maintenance expenses are at 92% of the annual budget, and gas/electric are at 85.5% of the annual budget.

Did you know…

That through Mountain Sky United Methodist Foundation, you as an individual can invest your savings in accounts similar to CDs and Money Markets where you will earn above-average interest rates.  The fund is called the Methodists Helping Methodists Fund. Your investments allow the Foundation to provide capital improvement loans to United Methodist Churches throughout the region. Investment options include, 

• Fixed-Rate Investments (one, two, three, four, and five-year) are available for amounts $1,000 and above. Interest is paid out quarterly or reinvested, depending on investor wishes.
• Variable-Rate Investments are available with a minimum investment of $500. Withdrawals can be made at any time upon written notice.

At September 22, 2022, rates for fixed-rate investments range from 1.21% for a 12-month term on deposits of $1,000 to $4,999 up to 2.84% for a 60-month term on deposits of $10,000 and over. Variable-rate accounts starting at $500 pay .50%.

For more information, including access to the full rate schedule, go to https://www.mountainskyumf.org/faith-based-investments-giving/.

Agape Safe Haven Homeless Outreach 

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

Please join in helping serve our Longmont homeless population! We need:

HOT meal for 25 people to be delivered to Agape Safe Haven at 9:30am Friday, October 21.

Help serve meals from 9:30-11am on Friday, October 21.

This is a great way to be in service in our community and its easy, fun and meaningful!

Contact Pastor Claire for more information.

“The Sum Of Us”

A Community Conversation

The Religious Affairs Committee of the NAACP of Boulder County will host an interfaith and ethical community conversation on our shared commitment to anti-racism and social justice.

HOL is a member of the Boulder County NAACP.

The discussion is based on the book he Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee.

The Sum Of Us is a story told from an economist’s perspective of how racism has affected and continues to affect people of color and white people with a systemic “Zero Sum” philosophy. McGhee ends with the “Solidarity Dividend” philosophy and positive actions we can take.

The objective is to educate congregations about the status of racism and engage in conversations and calls to action.

This event will be an interactive online webinar.

Date: Sunday, November 13

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Moderator: Michele D. Simpson; host of KGNU’s Black Talk

Panel Members:

Glenda S. Robinson; Minister Second Baptist Church

Dr. Thomas Mayes; Senior Pastor Living Water Christian Center Church

Dr. Sheila Davis; Vice-President NAACP Boulder County

Register at https://form.jotform.com/222646661166055

Reading the book prior to the event is suggested.

Flower Vases Needed

Each Sunday, altar flowers are transferred to a container & given to the donor. Our supply of coffee cans or other suitable containers is very low. If you have coffee cans, large mouth quart jars, medium size vases, please donate them for our use. Contact Ann Yoder (303 772-8294) if you have questions.

Library Book Give Away

Now is the time to add to your book collection. The library is downsizing and we are in the process of clearing and consolidating book shelves. This is a process and the first section of the library we are working on contains books on faith, personal devotions, history and personal growth. Those are the books currently being given away. Downsizing will happen over a period of time.

There are several crates of books in the Gallery against the west wall next to the library table. Please take some time to see if there are books there you or someone you know might like. Additional books will be added to the give away as space allows.

Please do not take the crates.

Blessing of the Animals - Oct. 30th at 2:00 at 1505 21st Ave. Bring any animal you want blessed to either the dog park or if you have an animal that isn't comfortable around dogs, we will bless them outside the enclosed dog area.

All-Church Conference - October 30 11:30AM-12:30PM More information coming soon.

The Heart's UWF are planning a Holiday Fair on November 5 from 9AM-2PM. Vendors, baked goods, jellies and jams, candy, the Treasure Trove will all be there and of course the wonderful lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, chips and PIE! Help spread the word and if you have friends who are vendors, have them get ahold of Mary Ann Watson! Thank you for your continued support!

For Love of the Horse - Sunday, Nov. 6th, 12-2pm at Pastor Claire's home. Learn how amazing time with a horse can be and how it can heal your heart and calm your soul. This is a hands-on event for the first 10 people that sign up. Participants will get a chance to groom the horses, learn about their special gifts and gentle spirit and how they can heal your soul. Sign up in the gallery. Contact Tricia Grafelman for answers to your questions.

On November 13 we are hosting an all church potluck for Gratitude Sunday, which will celebrate the end of our Stewardship campaign. 

Our Finance committee will be providing ham and drinks. We ask everyone to bring a side dish to share (e.g. salads, vegetable side dishes, or desserts).

Rotary Coat Drive - October 16 - November 26. Please bring gently used winter coats or jackets. Look for a bin in the Gallery for donations.

October's compassion offering supports Chef Hearty.

Chef Hearty began in the fall of 2021 as a pilot program to bring healthy meal kits to our Wild Plum Headstart families. Chef Hearty bags contain a recipe and all the healthy ingredients needed to prepare it as well as encouragement for the children and their parents and families to cook together. It has been a huge success and the families look forward every month to their next bag. 

If you would like to be a part of this important and fun ministry please contact either Rod Edmonds or Tricia Grafelman.

If you wish to donate to this month's compassion offering, you can do so online by clicking here and navigating to the Monthly Compassion Offering tile. Or, you may send a check to the church office with "Compassion Offering" on the memo line.

November's compassion offering supports Veterans Community Project Village - Longmont.

"VCP Village - Longmont is a crossover venture between Veterans Community Project, the City of Longmont, and HMS Development. Located on a 2-acre property, approximately 13 miles northeast of Boulder, the Village will feature 26 tiny houses and a 3,000-square foot Community Center. Each single residency home will be 240-square feet; the Village's five family homes are 340-square feet and can sleep up to 7.

VCP Village provides everything a Veteran needs to live with dignity and safety; trauma-informed design with new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, and utilities, free of charge. More importantly, VCP Village provides sanctuary and the emotional space needed for the Veteran and VCP’s Veteran Support Services team to thoroughly address the underlying causes of his or her homelessness."

Read more about the project by clicking here.

If you wish to donate to this month's compassion offering, you can do so online by clicking here and navigating to the Monthly Compassion Offering tile. Or, you may send a check to the church office with "Compassion Offering" on the memo line.

Heart of Longmont UWF have a Facebook page!

Click here to follow us at https://www.facebook.com/uwfoftheheart/

HOLIDAY FAIR is getting closer! November 5th from 9AM-2PM featuring vendors, homemade baked goods, jams & jellies, candy and our delicious lunch of pulled pork sandwiches with cole slaw, chips, and PIE! Lunch will be served 11AM-1PM.

We will also have the Treasure Trove once again, so if you have "nicer" things you would like to donate, please put on the stage in Wesley Hall marked "Treasure Trove" and the Missions of United Women in Faith will benefit! Thank you as always for your continued support! 

United Women in Faith Circles are beginning to meet again! Please come join a group and see what it's about,

we'd love to have you!

Lydia Circle

Catherine Murphy (chair)

Second Thursday of the month at 5pm in the church Gallery.

Sarah Circle

Ann Yoder (chair)

3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30am in various homes.

Contact the church office for location.

Esther Circle

Nancy Swope (chair)

3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:30am, various homes or church Gallery.

Call the church office for location.

Elizabeth Circle

Linda Morris (chair)

3rd Monday of the month at 1pm in the church Gallery.

OUR Center Holiday Wish List

With cooler weather and increased activity, we can certainly feel that the winter holidays will soon be upon us! Many of you are already reaching out to see how you can help - thank you!

See below for the items we can use for our Community Cafe and Community Market programs, as we see more families needing food and as we prepare for extra holiday provisions.

Our Mission:

Putting More of God's Love Into The World

Helping all persons find deeper meaning and God’s purpose for their lives as committed Christ-followers.

Serving as the Heart of Longmont means:

We will welcome all persons, without reservation or judgment,

just as Jesus Christ would do.

We will work tirelessly by entering into intentional acts of compassion and social justice to make our community a place where God’s love is known by all, where poverty and deprivation are unknown by any, and where respect for the worth and dignity of each person is the norm.

We will respect and honor other religious traditions

while choosing Christ as our way of knowing God best.

We will emphasize life-long learning so that we may

engage our world from a dynamic and creative perspective.

We will work to protect God’s creation.

We will practice stewardship of all aspects of our lives,

including time, talent, financial resources, and spiritual gifts.

The office at Heart of Longmont is open

Monday through Thursday 10:00am to 3:00pm.