Advent Schedule 2

Hat, Sock & Glove Tree, December 3 - 17 2

Messiah, Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2 3

Alternative Giving Fair, Sunday, December 3 3

Respite Care Benefit Concert, Sunday, December 10 3

Messy Church, Tuesday, December 12 4

Holiday Movie Night, Friday, December 15 4

The Village, Sunday, December 17 4

A Service of Hope & Light, Wednesday, December 20 4

Carols Round the Chrismon Tree, Wednesday, December 20 5

ReCharge Wednesdays, December 6, 13, & 20 5

Holiday Flowers, Deadline Thursday, December 7 6

Winter Shelter, December 3-10 7

Silver Saints Luncheon, Wednesday, December 6 8

United Methodist Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, December 9 8

Walk With God, Saturday, December 16 8

Early Childhood Music School Winter Carnival, Friday, January 19 9

Wesley Heritage England Trip, May 8-16, 2018 15

Page For more information about each of these events, see their articles inside.

Messenger December 2017 The

December Events at Williamsburg United Methodist Church

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Traditional Worship December 3, 10, 17 & 24 8:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Messiah WUMC Sanctuary

Friday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 2 at 5:00 p.m.

Hat, Glove & Sock Tree December 3 – 17

Tree is located outside the Church Office.

Alternative Giving Fair WUMC Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 3 from 9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

ReCharge Wednesdays Every Wednesday (except December 27)

Dinner served continuously 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Senior Pastor’s Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Respite Care Benefit Concert WUMC Sanctuary

Sunday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m.

Messy Church WUMC Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, December 12 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Holiday Movie night Youth Center

Friday, December 15 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

“Christmas at Williamsburg” featuring WUMC choirs

at 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services WUMC Sanctuary

Sunday, December 17

The Village WUMC Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 17 at 9:30 a.m.

A Service of Hope & Light WUMC Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m.

Carols Round the Chrismon Tree WUMC Atrium

Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24

5:00 p.m. Family Worship & Children’s Pageant 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship & Holy Communion 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship & Holy Communion

Christmas Day

Monday, December 25 10:00 a.m. Worship

Advent Events

Be An Angel & Help Others

December 3 – 17

Bring warmth and happiness to children this Christmas season! Do not forget the Hat, Glove, and Sock Christmas Tree located near the front office. Bring in a warm hat or a new pair of socks, gloves, or mittens, and help a child experi-ence the full meaning of Christmas! This is a great family activity. All donations will be given to local charities.

Advent Schedule *All events are free. Childcare is available for all Sunday services, Messiah Concerts,

and the 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services**

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Alternative Giving Fair Choose Gifts that Make a Difference

Sunday, December 3 from 9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. WUMC Fellowship Hall

Here's your chance to capture the true Christmas spirit in your gift-giving this holiday season. Come to the Alter-native Giving Fair on Sunday, December 3. Local, national and international organizations will offer opportunities to choose gifts that will make a difference in the lives of oth-ers in our community and around the world. This is a great way to choose gifts in the name of your friends and loved ones that celebrate Jesus’ birth and His gift of peace and love. This is one way to remember Jesus’ message that states that giving to Him means giving to the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the stranger, and the imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-40).

The Fair will be held in Fellowship Hall between the two worship services, from 9:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and again after the 11:00 a.m. service, from 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

You will be able to choose gifts in the form of charitable donations and to buy handmade, creative items offered by some of the or-ganizations. The recipients of your gifts will receive cards acknowledg-ing the gifts.

Sunday, December 10

from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WUMC Sanctuary

featuring the many talents of the

WUMC Music Department!

Annual Respite Care Benefit Christmas Concert

Free concert with a voluntary plate offering to benefit Respite, an engaging enrichment program for dependent seniors. A portion of the concert’s proceeds will be used to provide a love gift to our compassionate,

skilled activity team.

Friday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 2 at 5:00 p.m.

WUMC Sanctuary

Williamsburg United Methodist Church is sharing Handel’s Messiah with the surrounding community for the nineteenth consecutive year! Set aside Friday night, December 1 at 7:00

p.m. or Saturday night, December 2 at 5:00 p.m., to begin your Christmas season with this annual tradition. The 80 member chorus, including both veterans and newcomers, will be accompanied by the Handel Cham-ber Orchestra, comprised of exceptionally talented musicians from the Hampton Roads region.

Messiah 2017 soloists include Williamsburg native and resident of NYC, Michelle Trovato, soprano; local mezzo-soprano, Phaedra McNorton; Fredericksburg resident Ian Lane, tenor; and Williamsburg resident, Branch Fields, bass. We are very privileged to have these extraordinary soloists perform during our 19th con-secutive concert.

The Messiah concerts are free to the public. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join you in at-tending Messiah 2017.

Advent Events

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A Christmas “Messy Church” in December

Tuesday, December 12 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. WUMC Fellowship Hall

Our next Messy Church will be on Tuesday, December 13 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and we will celebrate Christmas! Join us for everything Christmas done the Messy way with festive crafts, glorious Celebration Time, and a special holiday ham dinner!

Advent Events

“THE VILLAGE” IN DECEMBER!

We invite you to join us on Sunday, December 17 for a new way to worship with your entire family! Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, come experi-ence the uniqueness and unpredictability of The Village. In December, we will “Tell the (Nativity) Story” in new and different ways. From creative tableaus to innovative stories to Anthony’s silly songs, how can we tell others about the birth of Jesus? We envision The Village as a place where people of all ages are able to worship together and connect with God. Questions, talk with Cindy Banek, An-thony Williams or Andy Glascott, (229-1771).

Holiday Movie Night

Join us on Friday, December 15 for a movie and pizza night! We’ll be showing the BBC account of, “The Nativity,” in the Youth Center from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (popcorn available from the start, pizza will be ordered when we know numbers on the night!). This is a really good, family friendly telling of the birth of Jesus, God with us, and a great way to start holiday celebrations. More details from Andy Glascott or Cindy Banek (229-1771), or details about the movie (originally a mini series in the UK) availa-ble on imdb.com here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1719950/combined.

A Service of Hope & Light

Wednesday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m. WUMC Sanctuary

The holiday season is hard for those whose hearts are hurting. You are not alone. A Service of Hope & Light is a gentle, contemplative worship service for those who are carrying pain or loss during this season.

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Beginning at 5:30 p.m., and serving continuously until 6:30 p.m., enjoy a delicious dinner and good conversation with others. Our meals are expertly prepared by a professional chef and yet inexpensive: $6/adult, $3/child (ages 3-12) with a $20.00 family maximum. After dinner, participate in our activi-ties or simply enjoy the rest of your evening.

Please make a reservation for dinner by completing a dinner form at Connection Corner, in the pew racks, or calling the church office. Reservations are due into the church office by Tues-day noon before the Wednesday dinner. Questions, contact Cindy Banek (229-1771).

Carols Round the Chrismon Tree

Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m. WUMC Atrium

Join us for carols and storytelling round the tree in the atrium, suitable for all ages.

December Dinner Menu ** ReCharge will not meet on December 27

due to Christmas.

December 6 Chicken stuffing country casserole, potatoes,

vegetable & dessert Vegetarian option

Sunday Church Closing Due to Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather or other emergency, the Senior Pastor, Trustees Chair, and Church Council Chair will make the decision to close the church for Sunday morning worship services. The following notifications will be made:

• The Church office telephone will be reset to announce the closing (229-1771).

• WUMC Website (www.williamsburgumc.org)

• WUMC Facebook page

• Area television stations and WMBG radio

WEDNESDAYS

Advent Events

December 13 Spiral ham, rustic cheddar potato casserole,

vegetable & dessert Vegetarian option

December 20 Asian pork, scalloped potatoes, vegetable & dessert

Vegetarian Option

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2017 Advent Offerings — Local Outreach Beneficiaries: On behalf of the congregation of WUMC, your Local Outreach team has chosen these organizations to

receive a portion of our annual special Advent offering:

Holiday Flowers Holiday Flowers given in honor or memory of loved ones are a Christmas tradition

at this church. This year’s poinsettias cost $20 each, or you may make a gift of that amount to the Holiday Flower Fund. Make your check payable to the church.

Deadline - December 7.

Please place this Poinsettia or Gift

In memory of: (Print)

In honor of: (Print)

Given by: (Print)

LACKEY FREE CLINIC

Lackey Free Clinic provides health care services to thousands of patients – the lower income, uninsured and underserved residents of Greater Williamsburg, York County, Poquoson and on the Peninsula.

The mission of this faith-based clinic is to provide skilled, compassionate health care and counseling to the medically disadvantaged in a manner that honors the name of Jesus Christ. Lackey Free Clinic offers medical service; free medicine through the Pharmacy Connection; dental care; and chronic-care clinics for patients with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and other ongoing conditions.

FOODBANK OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULA

The Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula provides food to people who might otherwise go hungry. The Foodbank partners with almost 160 member agencies made up of faith-based organizations, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and community centers across the service area. Together, they have provided over 147 million meals. Hunger relief is truly a collaborative effort and our church supports the Foodbank with funding, and in turn draws food from it to feed people in our local community.

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA)

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community advocate appoint-ed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court. They serve as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Court and as a voice for the child. Children are referred to CASA by judges because their families have been cited for abuse and neglect, and the child’s home placement is in question. A CASA advocate provides the judge with carefully

researched background information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child’s future.

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UNITED METHODIST FAMILY SERVICES (UMFS)

United Methodist Family Services champions at-risk children in Virginia, using a holistic family treatment plan encompassing education, foster care and adoption, residential treatment, and career training. UMFS also proactively identifies unmet social service needs throughout Virginia and develops appropriate partnerships to address them.

Learn more: https://www.umfs.org/.

IGLESIA METODISTA DE PUERTO RICO RE-ACE HURRICANE RELIEF

The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, via community outreach program Re-ACE (Rebuilding Communities with Hope) is coordinating efforts to establish and distribute provi-sions and aid to people across their network of churches, with the help of The United Method-ist Church and UMCOR. In time, volunteers will be needed to support rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico. Learn more:

http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/marias-wreckage-slows-relief-to-puerto-rico.

On behalf of the congregation of WUMC, your Global Outreach team has chosen these organizations to receive a portion of our annual special Advent offering:

2017 Advent Offerings — Global Outreach Beneficiaries:

Service of to Remember the Homeless

December 21, the longest night of the year, is an appropriate time to consider those who do not enjoy the warmth of an inviting home. Please join us at Williams-burg Christian Church (200 John Tyler Lane) at 6:00 p.m. on December 21 for a short service to remember the homeless in our community.

Homeless Shelter in December As the cold winter winds blow, our thoughts turn to those who don’t have

a roof over their heads. Williamsburg United Methodist will partner with St. Stephen Lutheran and King of Glory Lutheran to host a week of emergency shelter for the homeless during the week of December 3-10. Volunteers from our congregation are needed for early morning, evening and overnight shifts. If you can help, please contact Susan Cornett (220-2615) or swcornett@cox.net.

We are also collecting for our guests: DVDs, puzzle books, paperback books, magazines, and clothes (Heavy coats and sweats (L-XL-XXL), socks, and rain gear). Please drop items at the Church office.

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Do you have an article for the Newsletter?

If you would like to submit an article for publication in the Messenger, the deadline for submittals is the 15th of the month. Articles submitted should be typed or neatly printed, limited to a 1/2 page in length and are subject to editing for grammar,

spelling and content. Please submit by e-mail to Lianne Koch at lkoch@williamsburgumc.org. Questions? Please e-mail Lianne or call (229-1771).

Silver Saints Luncheon

Our December Silver Saints Christmas luncheon will be Wednesday, December 6 at noon at the WindsorMeade Clubhouse. Please bring a side dish to share, food donations for fish and $1.00 for the ham. If you would like to participate in a gift ex-change, bring a gift suitable for a man or woman spending not more than $10.00. Please make reservations with Shirley Leyland (903-4537) or sleyland@cox.net by

Saturday, December 2. This is required for entry through security. Questions? Contact Shirley.

A Festive Christmas Breakfast, hosted by the United Methodist Men, will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 8:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. A full-course breakfast will be served, followed by “Musical Moments for Christmas”, featur-ing student winners of Williamsburg Music Club’s Grant-In-Aid Auditions. Donna Herman, the Music Club President, will serve as MC for this special event which will add festive cheer to our church family’s celebration of the Advent season. Everyone is invited to attend. All reservations must be received by no later than December 4th in order to have an accurate count of partici-pants.

The cost of the breakfast and program is only $10, with net proceeds going to the UMM scholarship pro-gram for local divinity school students and other UMM outreach ministries. Please make your reservation by contacting Charley Skillman (258-4930) or csskillmanjr@cox.net.

Questions? Contact John Tressler (259-1193).

Walk With God is an opportunity to spend some quiet time with God in a natural setting. Held the third Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Walk With God begins with a short devotional, followed by a quiet time to relax, pray, read, and meditate. During this time you will have the opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors in na-ture, either in solitary reflection or in conversation with others. Several different written reflection guides will be available for you to use, if you

like. The day concludes with a brief, final gathering where participants can share their thoughts and reflec-tions. Feel free to bring a Bible, book, water bottle, journal, or whatever you think might make this time most meaningful to you.

The next Walk With God event is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, rain or shine. We will meet at the church and you will be given options for how and where to take your Walk With God. Gather in the Connection Corner area just inside the main parking lot door. Questions? Contact Sandy van Leliveld (871-2012) or Barbara Monteith (812-0638).

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Free 7 year old with every purchase!

When VHS recorders first appeared in Ireland “back in the day”, some older folks found they could be a little difficult to program when they wanted to record a TV show. Irish wit being what it is, someone soon quipped that Sony were going to start giving away a free 7 year old with each purchase to help you program it . . .

At this year’s Alternative Giving Fair our youth ministry will not be giving away free 7 year olds. We will, however, be happy to offer advice on using modern technology. Feel free to bring a cell phone, laptop com-puter, tablet or other portable device and we’ll help you get the most out of it.

All this comes as we prepare for a trip to England next year with our High School mission team – there are 14 students and 4 adults travelling to Hexham, Northumberland. We’ll be using technology and social media a lot in the build-up to and during that trip. We’ve already had a video conference call with the youth group at Trinity Methodist Church and will be setting up dedicated social media handles and hashtags for the trip so you can follow our adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more.

Technology can, and does make life an awful lot easier at times. It means I have a Bible with me at all times as an App on my phone, can talk to my family in Ireland free at any time and of course check Facebook (far too often I admit . . .), but it’s never going to match face to face personal relationship. On De-cember 3rd, we’d love a chance to chat to you for a few minutes and help you get to grips with your phone. When Jesus said “let the little children come to me” he didn’t add the phrase “and show me how to work my iPhone”, but did remind the disciples that they could learn from children just as they expected children to learn from the adults. Together we can both learn and grow.

Grace and peace to you,

Andy Glascott, WUMC Youth Director

If you ever have a moment, stop by our website to see what’s going on at our church. The address is www.williamsburgumc.org. Find out about all the ministries and other activities that you or your family may be interested in joining!! We have something for everyone!!

If you have any questions about something you see on our website, contact the church office (229-1771).

Have you checked out our Website?

ECMS will be hosting its annual Winter Carnival. The event will take place on January 19 and will

feature food, family fun activities, instrument petting zoo, and a silent auction.

Stay tuned for more details to come!

Early Childhood Music School

Winter Carnival

CALL

TECH

SUPPORT

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Food for Thought By Senior Pastor Bill Jones

The world is abuzz these days about values. We promote our values, debate our values, vote our values, teach our values, and hopefully, live our values. Values are the personal qualities that sustain us in the big picture of life. Values are a set of guiding principles that help us make decisions. Values are beliefs and atti-tudes about what is good and right and desirable and worthwhile. People with fuzzy values live fuzzy lives. Certainly people of faith have a role in shaping the values of individuals and society as a whole. As the great preacher of the 1940’s, Harry Emerson Fosdick, says in his hymn, “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.” Someone asked Augustine in the 4th century if the world was in moral decline. Augustine re-sponded, “It all depends upon the Church.” As the salt of the earth and lights on a hill, people of faith do season society and shine rays of hope to the least and the lost.

The values of Jesus are good news of great joy. It’s the word of Advent, echoing across the ages to bring good news of great joy . . . great joy in the coming of the Savior: Behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. The Gospel is not bad news; the Gospel is good news.

Jesus was born in a dusty, dirty stable in the little town of Bethlehem. He was raised in a small village in Galilee that was not known for power and wealth. He himself was the son of a carpenter and was probably a carpenter himself until he launched his ministry to bring the joy of salvation to the world. He was considered an outsider by many in the religious community who did not share his values.

Jesus is often an outsider to our lives. We’d like to make over Jesus into a middle-class American, but he’s not. He’s different from us. Jesus is deeply and profoundly different. His values and ambitions, the way he conducted his life, the things Jesus cared about, and the people for whom he cared, are all very different from us. He is an outsider to our way of life. If we choose to follow Jesus we will discover ourselves being different from our neighbors. Dare we associate with, become close to, or follow this outsider?

Christians have not always done a good job of representing Christ. Too often we have given ourselves over to the culture and its values. Too often we have remade our Lord into our own image. We use the name of the Prince of Peace to justify our wars. We steal away behind some proof text of the Bible to justify our prejudice toward others.

Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be trans-formed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is – what is good and pleas-ing and mature” (Romans 12:2). Conforming to the patterns of the culture does not lead to our thinking God’s thoughts or knowing God’s will. Our minds must be renewed; we must adopt a new way of looking at the world and a new set of values if we are to have any chance of knowing how God wants us to live and then doing God’s will.

With those thoughts in mind, I propose to preach a series of sermons in the new year on “Finding the Good: The Quest for Christian Values in 21st Century America” (from January 21 through February 11, 2018). It is a daunting task that will require much prayer and reflection as we seek to find the good in compassion, in truth, in kindness and mercy in the midst of a politically-charged climate of fear and hatred, bigotry and name-calling that is dividing our country instead of creating unity. I welcome your thoughts, your ideas, your opinions. Please send me an email (bjones@williamsburgumc.org) or give me a call and let’s have a conversation. That’s food for thought!

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Thoughts from Meghan

By Associate Pastor Rev. Meghan Roth Clayton

What a blessing it is to enter into ministry with the Williamsburg UMC family of faith! Many thanks to Pastors Bill and Helen, the WUMC staff, and the entire church for welcoming my family and me. We are eager to share in life and faith with such a wonderful church engaged with the local community and beyond. This is a special homecoming for my husband Josh and me, as we met at The College of William and Mary in 2005. While a student, I was actively involved in the Wesley Foundation. In fact, former campus minister David Hindman married Josh and me in 2013, and this past May, he baptized our son James Eno, who is now fourteen months old. I also have fond memories of assisting in children’s bell choir leadership, singing in the production of Handel’s Messiah, and attend-ing Easter worship at Williamsburg UMC. The WUMC United Methodist Men even provided financial support for my seminary education. I am grateful to return to a place and a people who loved and supported me at a pivotal time in my life and vocational path. To serve God with this congregation is an honor and privi-lege.

Endowment Notes

This month, December, is your LAST CHANCE to make a tax-deductible gift to Williams-burg UMC in this calendar year. Remember, you can give appreciated stocks, bonds, EFTs, mutual funds, and the like to Williamsburg UMC. All of your financial gifts to WUMC are fully tax-deductible, to the extent allowed by law. You can also make a gift directly from your IRA to WUMC (which would count toward any mandatory withdrawals, but not as tax-able income). You can make these gifts as a part of your regular giving to WUMC, or you can make a special gift to help pay down our debt, or make an enduring gift to the WUMC Endowment. To receive a tax benefit in this calendar you, however, the gift must be completed by Friday, December 29 – so consult with your broker or financial advisor early. Instructions for transferring gifts of securities are available through the WUMC business office. In-kind stock gifts can be made using the following information: “First Clearing, LLC, One North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103. DTC #0141. For Williams-burg United Methodist Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, Account #8452-0150.”

You can also make gifts to the Endowment through your estate plan or through a planned gift, like a Charitable Gift Annuity or a Charitable Trust. Charitable planned gifts can provide tax benefits to you, regular income to you and/or your heirs, and an enduring gift to the WUMC Endowment.

As part of your Christmas plans this year, plan a special gift for Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Thank You!

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Spotlight on UMW Circle History Mary and Martha Circle

In early 2017, a suggestion was made by a long-time member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Women (WUMW) organization to capture a bit of information on the naming of each Women’s Circle. From this idea, a project was born to gather and document some history about the various WUMW groups. Each team was asked to delve into their past and fondly reminisce. This article is the ninth in a series to capture and share some interesting and fun facts about the Women’s Circles of the church.

Over the years, there have been at least two separate circles in the church commemorating Mary and Martha from the New Testament Gospel of Luke. The first was named the Mary-Martha Circle and the sec-ond was named the Mary and Martha Circle. Both of them have since disbanded.

The earliest yearbook contained in the WUMW archives is dated 1947. It notes that the circle name at that time was Mary-Martha and met on the 1st Monday of the month at 8:00 p.m. The officers were: Mrs. G. L. Faison, Chairman; Mrs. J. G. Cairns, Vice Chairman; Mrs. H. D. Cooley, Secretary; Mrs. A. P. Ransone, Treasurer. It can be assumed that this circle was created prior to 1947; however, there are no records to indicate exactly when it was formed. The next yearbook in the archives is dated 1952-1953 and lists the Mary-Martha Circle as still meeting. Unfortunately, copies of yearbooks from 1954 to 1979 are missing. In the 1979 directory, there is no mention of the Mary-Martha Circle, so it dissolved sometime prior to that year.

During the early 1980s, James City and York counties experienced an expansion in residential housing and many new neighborhoods were built. This resulted in an infusion of younger families who were consider-ing a new church home. Mothers with young children were looking for opportunities to serve the church as well as provide social activities for their children and themselves. The WUMW looked to meet this need with the formation of the Mary and Martha circle in 1981.

Initially, the women met on the 2nd Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor, but over time evolved to an evening meeting on the 2nd Tuesday and then the 1st Monday. Childcare was always provided at a cost of $1.50 per child. This group chose their name as a result of a book which was in vogue at the time and dealt with the concept of living as Mary in a Martha world. The ladies connected with the main theme of the book which was loving God like Mary but struggling with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy like Martha which interfered with service to God. Their monthly meetings always included short, educational pro-grams as well as memorable devotions.

The group also planned socials for themselves and their husbands, and they remembered having lots of fun. Progressive dinners were a trend back then, and the group had several. Guests would show up at the first house for appetizers and socialization. Then the group would travel en-masse to the next house for sal-ads and, on to the third for the entrée, and finally ending at the last house for coffee and dessert. Other ac-tivities of the circle included working as a group on craft projects at each other’s home. The women were a happy and supportive group of individuals who found sustaining friendships throughout the years. Ultimate-ly, this second Mary and Martha Circle disbanded in 1993.

UMW Book Club The next meeting of the UMW Book Club will be held on Monday, December 11 at

7:00 p.m. at the home of Karen McPherson (3296 Reade’s Way, near Jamestown High School). We will be reading and discussing I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, by Nujood Ali. This book is in the Nurturing for Community category of the United Method-ist Reading Program from 2012. All are invited. For more information, please contact Carol Brinkley (258-0617).

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OLIVE CASEY CIRCLE Monday, December 4 at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Menu

items provided by circle members. Special guests: Rev. Dr. Bill Jones, Rev. Megan Roth Clayton, Rev. Helen Casey Rutland and Ms. Cindy Banek.

SISTERS-IN-FAITH CIRCLE Monday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. We will celebrate Advent and Christ-

mas at a party at the Ford’s Colony Swim and Tennis Clubhouse.

CLARKE/HERITAGE CIRCLE Tuesday, December 5 at 9:45 a.m. in Room 309. The program speaker

will be Carolyn Munro on Christian symbols after which we will go to Sal’s by Victor for our Christmas luncheon.

JEAN CRAIG CIRCLE Tuesday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the Brookdale Activities Room. The pro-gram will be: “Wouldn’t you like to be JOY-FULL?” Please join us to experience the fullness of JOY.

SUSANNA WESLEY CIRCLE Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Bonnie Knizatko for

our Christmas Brunch. After lunch we will work on our new project for the Eastern State Hospital Christmas Party.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE Monday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the home of Vikki DiToto (3 Chanteraine

Close). We will enjoy a Christmas potluck luncheon.

CAROL SCOTT CIRCLE Tuesday, December 12 at noon. We will enjoy a luncheon together at Waypoint

Restaurant.

WILLIAMSBURG LANDING CIRCLE Tuesday, December 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Williamsburg Landing

Main Building in the auditorium (on the kitchen side).

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

2017 UMW Bazaar Results

Thank you to all who helped make the 2017 Bazaar a huge success! It does not happen without the tire-less efforts of the many ladies in the WUMW. We started with the first collection back in June and finally completed the work on Saturday, November 4th. Bazaar shoppers were in line at 6:45 a.m. anticipating the 8:00 a.m. opening. In addition to the UMW ladies, we need to thank the Church staff, Divine Janitorial, Boy Scout Troop 103 and the husbands, the children, and friends of UMW members. Without their support and help, the Bazaar would not be as successful. Listed below are some of the totals for the various booths. Af-ter minimal expenses, all proceeds are donated to various local and global missions.

Kitchen and Fine Dining $701

Art and lamps $343.50

Books $1,027.60

Holiday $1,514.96

Gift baskets $377

Jewelry $1,640.12

Bake Shop $745.16

Not So New $1,278.27

Bath Boutique $56.75

Corner Café $76.05

Again thanks to all at Williamsburg United Methodist Church for your support.

Silent Auction $3,239.50

Cannery $2,032.31

Luncheon $1,180.35

RADA Knives $115.00

And various donations

Williamsburg United Methodist Women December 2017 – UMW Circle Meetings

UMW York River District Advent Breakfast

December 9 at 9:30 a.m.

WUMW Book Club December 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the

home of Karen McPherson (3296 Reade’s Way)

WUMW Set Up and Serve ReCharge Supper

December 13

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UMC OR Kits Update

Each year we send UMCOR relief kits to Annual Conference. These kits are then forwarded to the Sager Brown UMCOR warehouse in Baldwin, LA and distributed to areas in times of disaster or special need. This is an all year, all church mission of the WUMC. Groups participating include United Methodist Women, Sunday School classes, Messy Church, Youth, individuals and their neighbors. An all church event is held in May where we collect items and assemble a large number of Health Kits. In 2017 we sent 1512 kits of 6 varieties to UMCOR – total value - $18,333.

This year, 2018, UMCOR is changing the distribution of aid to international areas of need. UMCOR will no longer be shipping internationally because they can provide aid quickly and more efficiently through the dis-tribution of grants.

UMCOR will continue to provide Hygiene (health) kits, School kits, and Cleaning (flood buckets) kits to areas in the United States following floods, hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, and other areas of need. Therefore these are the kits we will be assembling in the future. The kits are easy to make and can be done anytime during the year. Storage space is available and the committee will check them for completion and pack them for shipment in June.

Barb Hamson for the UMCOR Kit Committee

Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You Again!

Forty inmates and forty team members shared a 3 ½ day Kairos Retreat in mid-October at the Greensville Correctional Center. Both in-mates and team members took comfort in knowing that someone was

praying for them every minute of their retreat. It is healing to remember that a person who doesn’t know you is praying for the retreat. The homemade cookies sent by the congregation are just as important as the prayers. They are a tangible (also delicious) expression of caring. Over 100 dozen cookies were transported from WUMC to the retreat. We also sent spiritual placemats made from recycled calendars that combined pictures of God’s world with his Word from the Bible. So thank you to individuals who prayed, made cookies, or cut and pasted. And thank you to our entire congregation for supporting Kairos training, travel expenses and the work of the prison chaplains.

The children of Head Start in Williamsburg will be warm and snuggly this winter because of your gener-ous donation of coats. 89 coats were delivered from WUMC to the Triangle Community Services Center dur-ing the first week of November. The children will enjoy wearing the coats, but it is their parents and teachers who are most appreciative. Many thanks for ensuring that these children travel to school prepared for the winter weather.

The January Messenger will report on our Thanksgiving Morning Ministry.

Your Local Outreach Team

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Condolences

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who have passed away during the month of November:

Betty Burke

Al Golding

Inell Lee, mother of Evelyn Ballard

The season of Advent is upon us and featured in the church library this month are a variety of resources for both adults and children to in-spire and enrich your journey to Christmas. In addition to a number of special studies for individual and family use you’ll find: THE FIRST

CHRISTMAS, in which Marcus Borg and John Crossan reveal the truth of what the gospels actually say; CHRISTMAS FROM THE BACK SIDE, a unique look at the Christmas story through creative re-telling and the eyes of minor characters by J. Ellsworth Kalas; I’M DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS, a wonderful book with ideas for gifts, decorations, and recipes that use less; GIDEON’S GIFT, Karen Kings-bury’s inspiring work of fiction; and to touch your funny one and warm your heart, Leo Buscaglia’s SEVEN STORIES OF CHRISTMAS LOVE.

Among the many seasonal offerings for children check out MOUSE TALES: THINGS HOPE FOR and learn more about Advent. Or travel with Mary and Joseph as they JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM; discover THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY; find out what’s ailing THE GRUMPY SHEPHERD; and rejoice in JESUS, GOD’S GIFT OF LOVE. For stories in the Native American tradition there’s THE GIVE-AWAY and CHRISTMAS MOCCA-SINS and in THE LITTLE SHEPHERD GIRL is an account of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of a young girl.

“Do give books – religious or otherwise – for Christmas. They are never fattening, seldom sinful and permanently personal.” – Lenore Hershey

Library News

London and Wesley Educational Tour Deadline

This coming May, people from WUMC are going on an educational-spiritual-fun tour of London and other places in England important to our Methodist roots. We’ll visit Epworth, Oxford, Gloucester, Bristol, London, and other plac-es as we explore John Wesley’s life and our own faith. We depart May 8, 2018 from Richmond and return 9 days later, unless you extend your trip with an

excursion to Ireland or spend longer in London or something else adventurous. This EO Tour (www.eo.travelwithus.com) is carefully planned covering just about everything, including: airfare to/from England, deluxe transportation around England with informed tour guides with us every day, entrances into museums and exhibits, first-class hotels, most meals, program fees, etc. Bill Jones and Helen Casey-Rutland are leading this trip. They can provide more information or you can pick up a brochure in the bro-chure rack behind the desk by the parking lot door. The LAST DAY to register (without incurring a sur-charge) is January 22, 2018. Don’t delay. Find a friend. Join our group on this fascinating journey of a life-time.

Sidney Swiggett

Betty Watts

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The Messenger

A Monthly Publication of

Williamsburg United Methodist Church

500 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185

Church Office (757-229-1771)

www.williamsburgumc.org

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! As Christmas comes closer, shopping and wrapping and cooking and travel can overwhelm

what the season is really about. But making room for Christmas in our hearts and lives doesn’t require a lot of time or trouble; it can be the product of just a little attention to PRAYER.

There are lots of opportunities at Christmas to share our prayers and pray with others. Take this time to share prayers with your family when you are together around the table or gathered for sharing Christmas gifts and joy. After all, Christ’s birth is the real reason for our celebration of Christmas!

You may want to share this Christmas prayer with your friends and loved ones.

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Robert Louis Stevenson

For more information about our Prayer Ministry, contact Cindy Banek (229–1771) or cbanek@williamsburgumc.org.