The UMW December General Meeting is this coming Thursday, December 3, at 7:00 pm. We will have the installation of the 2021 Officers and Ellen Clements will present our program. All ladies are invited.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87854024102?pwd=Mlp5YjI4YktNeEEvcU1wcEFuWVVHdz09
Meeting ID: 878 5402 4102
Passcode: 530380
CUMC Health Acknowledgement Form
For tracking purposes, it is imperative that this form be completed and submitted by noon on Wednesday for Sunday Worship, or 4 days prior to attending any other in-person service at Community United Methodist Church. A new form must be completed each week for the next service that you plan to attend. The information you provide will be sent directly to the Senior Pastor. You will be notified of your approval status at least 24 hours prior to the service. The number of attendees is limited and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Persons who have not submitted this form will not be allowed to attend in person. If you cannot answer ‘I agree’ to all 4 questions, we ask you to wait before attending any in-person gatherings at church until you can answer affirmatively.
Your responses will be verified by an usher/greeter when you arrive at the church. Take your temperature before leaving home, bring a mask, and keep 6' of distance between you and other church members (outside of your family). Designated restrooms will be open, but we request that they be used only if necessary and with compliance to posted guidelines.
**PLEASE READ CUMC's HEALTHY CHURCH PLAN (at cumcvb.org)!**
It's Almost Advent Season. Does that Ring a Bell for You?
The Salvation Army is in desperate need of ringers this year and this will be CUMC's 21st year so let's do what we can to help our neighbors and their children on Christmas as part of our Advent activities. We've been hampered by the virus in our ability to serve our community, but with this event we can easily keep our physical distance and stay extra warm with face masks. We'll be at the Kroger in Providence Square at the North entrance again from 10-6 for two hour increments on Black Friday, on every Saturday in December and on Christmas Eve. Call Andrew Kissell @ 839-0790 for a time slot. Help make a difference in this time of need exacerbated by the pandemic.
I'll put more info out later about the Army's Christmas Depot for those who want to help pass out food, angel tree clothing, and Toys for Tots the week before Christmas. Don't miss this opportunity to share God's grace!
Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E45ABAA2BA4F94-salvation
Care Ministry for December
Offerings from the Upper Room Ministries
Devotional - Blue Christmas – Devotions of Light in a season of Dark – by Todd Outcalt. It is specifically for those who are struggling with the season. $11.99, upperroom.org, bookstore.
ECourse – This Blue Christmas–
An Experience of light and Hope in an unprecedented Advent, by Todd Outcalt. An online class, 11/29 – 12/25, in addition to the daily devotion, there is weekly worship and conversation with Todd Outcult - $50.00 Registration at urelearning.upperroom.org/p/blue-christmas
Small Group – Grief Share – Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child family member or friend
We will begin a 13 week small group (12 people) for those who have experienced the loss of a beloved. We will meet on Zoom on Thursday evenings, this seminar will include sections of video, discussion and workbook study in each session. There is a workbook that accompanies the seminar. For questions or to register contact Jannette Clavez at care4cumc@gmail.com or 633-1843.*
Blue Christmas Service – Dec. 13, 7:00 p.m.,
Due to concerns with social distancing this years’ service will be prerecorded, with a live Zoom session to follow. If you are interested in participating in the live stream or want someone remembered for candle lighting, please contact Jannette Clavez at care4cumc@gmail.com or 633-1843.*
*If there are questions, please feel free to call. If you want to participate please email, as we need that information for the Zoom links. If you want someone named during the Blue Christmas service email that information as well.
Reverse Advent Calendar and Angel Tree
Food Bags/Boxes (suggested items below) will be collected on Christmas Eve during the Drive Thru Nativity from 4:30-6:00 PM and will be collected by Nativity Helpers. If you prefer to attend the 2:00 or 7:00 PM service, your Nativity bag can be left in the Narthex. For those who are not able to print your own copy of the Advent Calendar from the website there will be some available in the church office. All food collected will be taken to The Gathering as we continue to support their efforts.
Our Angel Tree this year is a combined effort of Small Groups and Missions & Service. We are supporting Snowball 2021, the Virginia Beach Housing Resource Center, JCOC, Samaritan House and St. Columba. This information can also be found on the church website.
Donations by check are to be sent to our Church Treasurer; simply write Missions and the “Angel” you choose on the memo line. The church address is 1072 Old Kempsville Rd, VB 23464-5561.
Gift cards for Kroger, Walmart or Target are also welcome and may be left at the church office. Please designate which “Angel” you wish to support. The church office hours are 1:00-4:00 on Thursday and 9:00-12:00 every other day.
Thank you for your participation and for helping to bring joy to others during this special Advent season!
The Virginia Beach Pandemic Relief Partnership -
If you or someone you know has been impacted by COVI-19 and needs help, visit VBrelief.org to access resources and financial assistance.
Women’s Faith Focus study
Please join us on Zoom Tuesday, December 1st. at 9:30 am for our Women’s Faith Focus Advent Study:
Advent: The Weary World Rejoices by Lifeway Women
Please contact Sandi Granger grangr5@cox.net for Zoom log in information. This study will be weekly on Tuesdays and conclude January 5th, 2021.
Christmas Candle
Deep in the heart of the English countryside lies the enchanting village of Gladbury. Legend has it every twenty-five years an angel visits the village candle maker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle and prays before it receives a miracle on Christmas Eve, but in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend may come to an end. Join the Charles Wesley Sunday School Class on Sunday, Dec 6 at 10:00am, for three consecutive Sundays, as we discover a new formula for miracles: good deeds and acts of kindness. Please contact Terry Buzzard tbuzz42091@yahoo.com or Gary Lupton GLuptonSR@gmail.com to obtain Zoom logon information.
Replace Sadness With Generosity
There was an article in the Virginian Pilot recently that asked for help with our area Food Banks. I am proud to say that CUMC is doing their part with donations and volunteers at the Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church. There is a Fresh Food Wednesday next week, the day before Thanksgiving and no doubt the lines will be long. There is still time to signup to volunteer! Those who have lost their jobs since March are now “food insecure” and have added to those who are homeless; all of this compounded by the coronavirus.
Instead of feeling sad about our own situation and not celebrating Thanksgiving the way we always have, why not use some of the resources (food or money) that we would normally use with family gatherings and help out those who really need it? Let’s bring joy to others at this time of misfortune and spread goodwill to others.
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.
Isaiah 58:10 If you give some of your own food to (feed) those who are hungry and to satisfy (the needs of) those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun.
Blessing to all of you, Mary McConathy, Missions and Service Coordinator
Upper Rooms for November and December will be available outside the tower doors. The box is clear with a blue lid.
How to submit items to this newsletter
Send your announcements for publication in the newsletter to Melissa Snow, Office Manager, by e-mail at msnow@cumcvb.org.
Make your announcement or article brief but clear. Put essential information in the beginning of your announcement; longer articles are less likely to be read in detail.
The newsletter is published by e-mail on Mondays and Thursdays.
Your announcement should include basic information:
Who – identify person or small group making the announcement and who are the intended readers
When – Date and time (planned start, planned finish) of the event
What – A brief description of what did or will happen
Where – Location of the event including room numbers if at CUMC
Why – If your announcement supports a new or not well-known initiative, program, group or cause, provide some explanation of why the event will be held or was held, and some background information about the program/group supported.
Points of Contact & links – Be sure to include a point of contact (name and phone number, e-mail address, or internet link URL) if readers need to sign-up, get more information, or take other actions.
Publication window – as necessary, provide a range of dates when your announcement should run. Generally, announcements will not run for more than a week unless instructions to the contrary are indicated.
Graphics – Submit PNG, JPG, or GIF files for pictures and graphics. Image width should not exceed 564 pixels. Pictures of children (minors) should not be submitted without parental permission. Contact the church office for further guidance on our child protection policy.
Need a mask? Support UMW missions by buying a mask. Go to https://www.facebook.com/CUMCVBUMW/photos/3433955436696066 - to see masks available. $5 for 3-pleat, $7 for beak-style. We are also now accepting Square for credit/debit! Contact Julie Kissell (2sing4you@gmail.com or 757-404-1783) to purchase. 100% of donations made for masks will go to UMW missions.
Meals on Wheels Update
King’s Grant Presbyterian Church on Little Neck Road is now the new location for Meals on Wheels. Volunteers need to know that the new pickup time is 10:30 AM. They have been extremely accommodating and even provide an office. Chef by Design prepares the meals and they presently serve 140 people. Volunteers are always needed so if you are interested, contact Lou Schroeder at 757-495-1809.
Check out the church website
The site has an evangelistic approach to welcome visitors yet maintains news and useful information for our church family. The website address is: www.cumcvb.org.
On the website you will find:
· Healthy Church Team Re-Opening Plan and Health Form
· Links for viewing livestreamed worship
· Ministries and Small Group information
· Resources for growing in faith
· Current news and events
· Links to important documents, forms, and online resources
· Pictures of Community UMC in action!
The website is designed to be a useful source of resources and information as we seek to stay connected through these difficult times.
Terry Austin, Melissa Snow, David Collins
Thank you for your stewardship
Pledge now for 2021
THANK YOU to all the faithful stewards who have made it possible for the church to survive 2020 with strength. Your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness have allowed CUMC to weather one of the most difficult storms in modern church history well. We could not do it without you and without God’s ongoing providence. If you wish to make a pledge for the year ahead, you can do so at our website: www.cumcvb.org. If this is not possible for you this year due to the economic or personal impact of the pandemic, we understand and please reach out if the church can help in any way.
Missions & Service Update
JCOC needs your help
The volunteer Coordinator at JCOC, Krishna Loya, put a request on Charity Tracker that they need underwear and toiletries for the homeless. Since there are various sizes needed, they would greatly appreciate a monetary donation in order to fill individual needs. You may do that using their web site (jcoc.org) or mailing a check to the JCOC, 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
To make a donation online go to jcoc.org and find Donation Information: select the amount you want to give, then select one time or recurring donation, and finally on the drop-down menu find Toiletries and Underwear. Your money will be put to good use!
Thank you for helping to serve those in need. Mary McConathy, Missions & Service
Current CUMC Contact information
To help keep everyone safe, the church is now working with minimal staff, uncertain office hours, and limited operations. If you have a need during this time, please note the following contact info:
Pastor Matt: 703-819-0687
Minister Jannette: 757-633-1843
Leadership Team Rep. Liz Griffin: 757-621-9795
If you need to reach the leadership team, please email them at leadership@cumcvb.org
