Our sympathy to the family of Charlene Falls
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Charlene Falls, who passed away December 14th. The service for Charlene Falls is scheduled for Saturday January 9 at 2 pm at CUMC.
CUMC Helps to Fill the Needs of Others!
Thank you to everyone for your generosity during this challenging time. So many responded to the call for early donations of the Advent Calendar Bags when the PIN Ministry was placing people in local hotels for shelter. An additional 30 bags and extra items purchased in bulk were received at our Christmas Eve services. That means we were able to help about 120 people/families. Other churches and businesses are also assisting with providing meals on a daily or weekly basis. I will continue to monitor their needs and see if we can be of further assistance at a later date.
Our second donation was picked up last week, and the PIN Ministry is now in good order until the end of January. Please keep any other donations for the January Porch Pickup. This is going to be a partnership with the youth and the date will be announced soon. This next food collection will be taken to The Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist which still depends on our partnership.
Donations for the Angel Tree are being processed, and our donations appear to be greater than in 2019. Thank you for your gifts that will be greatly appreciated by so many. The compassion of our members has been very evident as we are experiencing such an unusual time in our lives. Fresh Food Wednesdays for the Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist are always in need of volunteers. Rev. Stephanie Kimec Parker, the lead pastor, reported that over 35,000 people were served in 2020. Because they are open in the evening unlike most food pantries this allows low income working people to be able to benefit from their generous food distribution. If you are unable to volunteer, but would like to make a monetary donation, use the link below: https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=wWsk24ZWJSTZKsGd1RMKlg0BDvsSG3VIWQCPJNNxD8upkiY7JlDavDsozUE7KG0nFx2NSo8LdUKGuGuF396vbSQT1bgb_j-dee1IZNeiPA-XHubq5Z7ap5JVmPErc4ZeYHCKCZhESjGNQmZ5B-6dxykUBqH4zHeXxvgdSvql1Qw=&ver=3
New CUMC Zoom series on Racism
After successfully completing our CUMC racism study on "White Fragility" or defensiveness, we will embark on a race relations video series along with discussion in the New Year. We will use the new Conference curriculum on Race Relations which may be found at https://vaumc.org/racerelationsvideos/. Three videos are currently out and ultimately there will be a dozen or so. Each video will be 10-20 minutes followed by a group discussion. Please let me, or Ralph Volk (ralphv3@aol.com), know if you are interested in participating and when a good day and time will be for you. Choose from Tues-Thurs and 4:30-7 start times. We will tentatively start the 3rd week in January. Andrew Kissell (andrew.kissell@aecom.com).
Charles Wesley SS Class: When life feels depleted, does God care? When I’m facing an onslaught of challenges, will God help? When life grows dark and stormy, does God notice? When I’m facing the fear of death, will God help me? The answer is a resounding YES. Please join the Charles Wesley Class for a six-week study by Max Lucado ‘You Are Never Alone’ starting on Sunday, January 10 at 10:00am. Contact Terry Buzzard < tbuzz42091@yahoo.com> or Gary Lupton <GLuptonSR@gmail.com> for Zoom information.
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.
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.
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
