Our sympathy to the family of Charlene Falls
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Charlene Falls, who passed away this week. The service for Charlene Falls is scheduled for Saturday January 9 at 2 pm at CUMC.
Join us for Sunday morning Worship
Community UMC continues to provide online worship opportunities at our Facebook and YouTube pages:
Traditional Sunday Worship at 9:00 AM
Modern Worship at 11:15 AM
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityUMCvirginiabeach
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55IMOHtY2mfvkf1mLaLzfA
Your financial gifts also matter. You can give online at the link below.
https://www.shelbygiving.com/inline/dedicated/?uid=ncs-2092&amt=10
Christmas Eve Services Dec. 24, 2020 at CUMC
2:00 p.m. Traditional Worship (in person and online)
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Living Nativity drive by
7:00 p.m. Modern Worship (in person and online)
Please see cumcvb.org for more information and to register for in-person worship attendance.
Online services only following Christmas
Christmas Eve services unchanged
There has been a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and percent positivity rates at the same time as hospital capacity is being stretched. This trend is likely to persist or even worsen as we move past Christmas and deeper into Winter. Therefore, at the strong recommendation of our District Superintendent, to help keep everyone safer CUMC and many other area UM churches will be going to online worship services only for at least the two Sundays after Christmas, December 27 and January 3. We will continue to communicate more information as it becomes available, including what to expect for Sunday, January 10 and beyond. Thank you for your diligence, obedience, cooperation, humility, and understanding during this unprecedented time. Meanwhile, Christmas Eve services will continue as scheduled both online and in-person: 2PM Traditional, 4:30-6PM Drive-Through, 7PM Modern.
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) on 12/10 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.*
Missions Report
Food insecurity on the increase this year
Donate Advent food bags early
Christmas is a very busy time for all of us, even as we are isolating. The city of Virginia Beach is trying to find shelter for the homeless in our area, and moving many of them into hotels started this week. On Thursday there was a meeting of several citywide organizations making plans for this to happen as well as how to provide the necessary food. The Emergency Hotel Sheltering Plan is replacing Winter Shelter this year since we are unable to house people in our buildings.
The PIN Ministry (People in Need) is asking churches in the area to help provide meals and we will be signing up. I am in the process of doing that so we can take our Advent Calendar bags which will include a can opener. The pop top cans are not easy to find so I bought enough openers to add one to each bag.
An emergency request was received earlier this week to help provide food for a few days as people are being placed in a secure environment. Several churches are sharing this request and using our missions fund, I purchased enough canned ravioli and Ramen noodles for 115 people as requested.
If you are ready to donate your Advent Bag and have a key fob, please leave it in the Bell Tower. If you come in person to church this Sunday, your bag may be left in the Narthex. Someone will help if you need assistance. The church office hours are limited now so please call or text before going if you don’t have a fob, or need to see a staff member. There are many needs right now which may cause a staff member to change their schedule. Andrea has shared her number (757—949-4854) where she can be reached or can help otherwise. We still plan to have the drive through Nativity on Christmas Eve for those members that prefer to make your donation then.
It is an understatement to say that this has been a year for adapting as our situation changes on a daily basis, but we are living during a very serious health crisis. One final mission donation made this year was providing $1,000 to the Faith in Action Fund to assist people dealing with eviction issues. I am so proud of how our members have continued to support and reach out to so many.
Thank you so much for all that you do. Take care of your loved ones and each other.
With Service in Christ,
Mary McConathy, Mission & Service Coordinator
Andrea Jones, Small Groups and Youth Coordinator
Reverse Advent Calendar
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.
Angel Tree
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!
Love Offering
We continue to be blessed by the generous tithes and offerings of our congregation. This is the time of year we show our staff extra appreciation for their hard work through a love offering. If you feel led to contribute, please designate "love offering" on the memo line of your check or as an option on the electronic giving page at cumcvb.org. We pray Christ's blessings on everyone at this time and throughout the year ahead.
-CUMC Leadership Team
It's Advent Season. Have you made plans to ring?
The Salvation Army remains in desperate need of ringers this year and we can easily keep our physical distance and stay extra warm with face masks. And you can get your Christmas themed mask from the CUMC UMW! We'll be at the Kroger in Providence Square at the West entrance from 10-6 for two hour increments on every Saturday in December and on Christmas Eve. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E45ABAA2BA4F94-salvation or call Andrew Kissell @ 839-0790 for a time slot.
The Army's Christmas Depot provides a great opportunity for those who want to help pass out food, angel tree clothing, and toys (Toys for Tots) the week before Christmas. The Depot will be back at the former K-mart at Kemps River distributing from Dec. 14-22 in both morning and afternoon shifts. Go to the Army's Cervis web site to sign up -
https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0023&console_type=event
Complete the form before attending in-person
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. 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)!**
Volunteer to help distribute food
It’s the Holiday Season! Yet, with all the lights and decorations we are still living under the very present reality of the pandemic. Food insecurity continues to be an issue in South Hampton Roads. Families continue to rely on food banks across the city to help defray monthly living expenses as well as additional holiday expenses. Fresh Food Wednesday continues to provide food and relief to families weekly. Did you know that we are one of the only food pantries in the City that provides services after working hours? (Most food pantries are only open during working hours).
We are in need of volunteers who are willing to serve through the month of December. Please click here to sign-up. Bring your festive holiday spirit! While volunteering, feel free to don you festive holiday apparel. We will also have musicians playing Christmas music for our clients as they wait in the parking lot for some of the Wednesdays in December.
We will continue to practice social distancing, wearing masks and gloves and encouraging hand-washing.
Thank you for bringing hope to our community this holiday season!
Robby Rockey
The Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church
Women’s Faith Focus study
Please join us on Zoom Tuesday’s 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.
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.
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
To submit announcements to the e-newsletter please email them to msnow@cumcvb.org or cumc@cumcvb.org thanks! Follow the link to “How to submit items for this newsletter” for more information.
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Church Office Business Hours
Office Hours: 9:30am-3:30pm Monday-Thursday
9:30am-12:00pm Friday
To contact a pastor, call the church office at (757) 495-1021
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