Join us for Sunday morning Worship as 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
Christmas Eve 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
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.
Thanks you for brining hope to our community this holiday season!
Robby Rockey
The Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church
Information on the Winter Shelter during pandemic
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. 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)!**
Be Informed: News and Events on the Website
On the church website you can find out what’s going on in the life of Community United Methodist Church. Here’s how:
On the Main Menu at the top - if you are on a mobile device, there will be a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top corner - click on “News/Events.” On this page, you will see three items: the church newsletter, the church calendar, and the district newsletter. Click on the item or underlined caption to access each one.
As you scroll down on the News/Events page on the website, you will see special announcements related to upcoming worship services and other church-wide events. You can click on any underlined text to open the form or other document related to that announcement. Most forms can be completed and submitted right from your computer or other device.
Helpful hint: most current news and announcements are found in the church newsletter, along with the church calendar. The newsletter is also sent out by email and posted on Facebook and Twitter. If you click to open the newsletter, there is an option to subscribe to receive the newsletter by email.
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
Christmas Bells are Ringing
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. Only three spots remain on the 19th and one on the 24th. 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
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.*
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!
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.
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 or cumc@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.
Upper Rooms
Upper Rooms for November and December will be available outside the tower doors. The box is clear with a blue lid.
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.
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
