Bucket of Hope: William County Children's Advocacy Center: Special request Small oranges, Apples, and Low sugar fruit cups.
A Note from Linda:
Thirty-five percent of Americans over forty-five are chronically lonely," reports David Brooks in his latest book, The Second Mountain. "Only eight percent of Americans report having important conversations with their neighbors in a given year. Former surgeon general Vivek Murthy wrote in the Harvard Business Review, 'During my years caring for patients, the most common pathology I saw was not heart disease or diabetes; it was loneliness'" which is recognized by many as the underlying cause for many physical and mental diseases.
Keeping busy, though it can be helpful, is not the answer. The answer is authentic connections, authentic attachments, authentic community. Flourishing life depends on these kinds of connections and these kinds of connections are built around deeply meaningful conversations about what is truly important to us. Laying the foundation for these types of connections has been one of the primary aims for our church. This Sunday we will explore the role our Sunday service plays in this aim and the alchemical spiritual power identified in the passage, "When two are more are gathered . . ." The following Sunday we will participate in Brunch Church—a unique means of authentic engagement among members of our community. Your presence is an important ministry in creating authentic community. That ministry begins in the simplest of ways— as one of our very dear congregants said last week: "Try sitting in a different seat on Sunday. It's a great way to get to know new people!" I hope to see you Sunday. It won't be the same without you!
Mark Your Calendar:
Sunday, Nov. 17:
9:15 am Choir Practice 10:30 am Sunday Service - Choir Performance 12:00 pm Lunch and Learn - Holiday Heros - Be Unscammable
Sunday, Nov. 24:
9:15 am Choir Practice 10:30 am Sunday Service Brunch Church
9:15 am Choir Practice 9:30 am Chair Yoga 10:30 am Sunday Service 11:45 am Women's Empowerment Circle
Sunday, Dec 8
9:15 am Choir Practice 9:30 am Chair Yoga 10:30 am Sunday Service - Choir Performance
Holiday Hero - Be Unscammable! Lunch and Learn
presented by Christopher Schwanke
THIS SUNDAY: November 17th at Noon
Become a Holiday Hero by learning to spot and thwart holiday scams (or everyday ones). Join me for my talk about the latest in scams and what to do about them.
Brunch Church is coming!
Sunday, November 24
during our regular 10:30 service time
Brunch church stems from the idea that authentic community happens when people get to know each other and for all of human history one of the primary ways people have gotten to know each other is over a meal. The word "companions" literally means "those who break bread together." Brunch church is very different from our potlucks. It is still very much a worship service, but is focused on sharing a light meal together and engaging in authentic, spiritually directed conversations with one another.
Volunteers Needed: There are opportunities for volunteers to serve as greeters, table hosts, provide food and table decorations and help with set up and clean up. Let Liz Sackett or Therese Finn know by filling out the form here or see Liz or Therese on Sunday if you’d like to help.
Mark your calendar:
Special Advent Service with Community Song Leader, Josh Blaine
Sunday, December 15; 10:30 am at the Chamber
Song leader Josh Blaine is part of a growing worldwide movement of song leaders united in the idea that regardless of one's singing ability, community singing unites us. "I’m continually humbled by the power of sharing wholehearted singing with others," says Blaine. "Science tells us there are myriad health benefits; experience tells us that community singing is deeply nourishing in ways that transcend description." Josh, founder and leader of the community singing group, Finding Our Voice, has led dozens of community sings and workshops, organized overnight song gatherings, been the subject of an award-winning documentary, and generally worked to bring more singing into the everyday spaces of life. One of those places will be Unity Church of Georgetown as part of a special Advent service during our regular weekly gathering on Sunday, December 15th, 2019 at 10:30 am in the Chamber. Dan McMurrough and Rev. Linda experienced the power of Josh's community singing recently and have been working to get him to bring his healing, unifying songs and message to our church. Mark your calendars NOW so that you will not miss this very special service.
Are you interested in being a READER during the upcoming holiday season?
We are looking for a team of people we can call on when we have multiple readings during a Service. Most of the readings will be short, a few sentences to a short paragraph. If you are interested in being part of this team, please let Cathy know by emailing her here.
Choir Practice Schedule
Calling all singers! All are welcome to join the Choir.
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 9:15 am Practice in the Boardroom and Performance Thursday, Nov. 20@ 6:00 pm Party and Practice at Rebecca’s house Sunday, Nov 24 @ 9:15 am Practice in the Boardroom Sunday, Dec 1 @ 9:15 am Practice in the Boardroom Sunday, Dec 8@ 9:15 am Practice in the Boardroom and Performance
The Bucket of Hope:
Our Bucket of Hope through December will be The Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center. They support children who have suffered abuse through Family Advocacy, Counseling, Interviews, Exams and Outreach Trainings.
Special Request: In addition to the individually wrapped snacks they have asked for Small oranges, Apples and Low sugar fruit cups.
We now have an ongoing collection for the Ronald McDonald House. Keep those tabs coming! We have filled one container so far. Let's help them get those expenses paid.
Brunch Church is coming!
Mark your calendar:
They support children who have suffered abuse through Family Advocacy, Counseling, Interviews, Exams and Outreach Trainings. 
