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New Spirit
December 2014
CHURCH INFORMATION
Address:
400 Fifth Avenue SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: 289-4019
Main Desk: (x. 200)
Church Van:
Phone: 285-9458
Web Address:
www.cumethodist.com
Email Address:
[email protected]
Fax: 289-3648
Pastors:
A Season of Advent
Throughout the month of December we look forward to the gift of
Christ’s birth by giving of ourselves:




Elizabeth Macaulay
Katrina Lee
Nancy Wheeler Handlon
Martha Hendricks
Providing for those in need through donations to Christmas
Anonymous and ASP
Kimberly Jackson
Celebrating through the music of guest performers and church
members young and old
Sunday
Gathering together for food and fellowship as we anticipate the
holiday
Worship Service Times:

8 AM Worship and
Communion (Chapel)

9 AM Traditional Worship
(Sanctuary)

11 AM Worship (ECC)
Worshiping at four different services on Christmas Eve
Please join us in the coming weeks as we celebrate Advent!
Radio Broadcast Time:

11:30 AM Sunday,
Broadcast on KOLM
(1520 AM)
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I am full of meatloaf and gratitude.
The Thanks for Giving Feast made the angels sing. There were
nearly 400 people who sat at table together to give thanks for being
a people of Jesus. Countless people picked up dish towels, set tables,
made desserts and organized for the party to be possible. We
worked together because we like to work together.
As we ready for the Interfaith Thanksgiving service and its promise of luscious pies and the
opportunity to praise God together, it is clear that throwing open the doors of our church and our
hearts is just exactly what God envisions. We conspire to offer hospitality and welcome because we
are hungry for communion with all of God's people.
All of this giving of thanks is a powerful way to welcome us to the season of Advent. Advent is a
four week time of preparing our hearts to welcome yet again the wonder of the Word Made Flesh in
the vulnerable and life-changing gift of a child born in a manger. While the world around us goes
into commercial overdrive, the church practices the countercultural discipline of deep listening and
wonder.
This is my first Advent and Christmas in your midst. I am hungry to see the faces of our children lit
by excitement and I anticipate the power of seeing each of your faces lit by candle light on
Christmas Eve. This year we are adding a noon service on Christmas Eve for those who prefer not to
venture out after dark. We so long to welcome all to the wonder of being a people of Emmanuel,
God with us.
What I pray for us each and all is this: May the practice of gratitude continue to ground our
being. May we enter this time of holy preparation knowing that God is made known in the most
unlikely of places. May we let go of our frantic sense that we will never do or be or buy enough and
instead spend time breathing in the wonder of love.
The feast of grace is ever before us. Sometimes grace shows up in
meatloaf. Sometimes grace shows up when you put on that quintessential
Christmas album (for our family it is Julie Andrew's Christmas) to
accompany the festooning of your home.
However it is grace appears, welcome it, savor it and share it.
Happy Advent!
Pastor Elizabeth
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Breakthrough Prayer Initiative on the Go
“But there really is a God. And we each need to decide if we’re going to let God
work through us and do miracles that accomplish amazing, unexpected things
among us. There really is a God, and that God will nudge us into the most curious places – into conversations that are impossible to anticipate, in directions
that we couldn’t have thought out for ourselves.”
-Martha Grace Reese, Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism, p. 42
Seeing miracles. Finding curious places. Being nudged by a God. That is what happens when we
give up taking God for granted and turn in the directions that God would send us so that we may
bless the world. Christ United Methodist Church is on the road that leads to amazing new
ministries, new opportunities, new courage, new life, new mission. The question is: will you be
with us? We invite you, your spirit, your gifts, your love, your hope, your courage, to join others
who are ready to take this amazing journey.
So what is new these days? Prayer walkers are already walking the rooms and spaces of this
grand building, handing every place over to God’s love and care for those who will enter there.
They are learning that prayer affects not only the things for which they pray, but also themselves.
Hearts are wonderfully warmed as we pray, knowing that God is present and moving here.
Prayer walking can be done any time. A minimum of training is necessary, and that training is
inspiring indeed!
For the next 3 months, there will be 3 or 4 people who will be praying daily for our congregation
and who will meet together once a week and report to the Church Council once a month. Not just
praying, but praying for discernment; seeking where and how God wants us to grow in faith and
love as a community. After those 3 months, we will hear what they have learned and be ready to
take that discernment into the future plans for this church. Join us on the journey. Watch for
opportunities to be involved in this new prayer ministry over the next few months.
Can you feel it? The changes that are already happening? God’s purposes for Christ Church are
on the go already. Lots of us just can hardly wait to see what lies ahead. Open your heart and join
us!
Pastor Martha
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A Note From Andrew
“The Lamb”
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made
thee,
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o’er the
mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made
thee?
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee;
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee:
He is callèd by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild,
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are callèd by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!
− William Blake, 1789
I wish you and yours the very best Advent and Christmas season! I especially thank all those involved
and those who support our music ministry. Thank you for your amazing dedication and love for our
church!
Andrew R. Galuska
Director of Music and Organist
The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus Concert
The first of four concerts in a unique series at Christ United
Methodist Church will bring the Twin Cities Gay Men's
Chorus to Rochester Dec. 7th. "Joyful and Triumphant" is
set for 4 p.m.
The program will feature classics as well as "new surprises to unwrap,” according to Andrew
Galuska, the church's music director. Selections will include Morten Lauridsen's "Sure on This
Shining Night," John Rutter's "Gloria" and "Welcome Yule" by Craig Carnahan.
Formed in 1981, the chorus's mission is "to build community through music”. Its 150 singers are
based at Ted Mann Hall at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Members have appeared
around the U.S., in Montreal and were featured on Minnesota Public Radio. Celebrating music "as a
way to transform, educate and heal," they earned a 2003 Human Rights Leadership Award.
The free will offering will support the ongoing mission of the ensemble and the series. Future
concerts will include organist Andrew Galuska with the Mayo Symphony in March; Rust College
Choir in April and organist Hector Olivera in May.
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Welcome to December - the most wonderful time of the year! So much to celebrate and be
thankful for! We will not have a rotation lesson during Sunday School, but will have an
opportunity each week to prepare for the upcoming celebration of Christmas.
New! Please visit www.faithsounds.blogspot.com for our daily advent
votional, activities for kids, and family prayer.
de-
Sunday, Dec. 7
9am – FAMILY FIRST SUNDAY
10:15am – BYOB Pastor Katy will lead a discussion on what Advent is all about.
Sunday, Dec. 14
9am and 10:15am - SERVICE SUNDAY
Cookie baking for our friends at St. Mary’s Hospital and Charter House during
our caroling visit that evening.
4:00-6:30pm - HOLLY JOLLY TROLLEY
Caroling and merry making! Lights tour and potluck! Please sign up in the
church office, by email, or at the children’s desk, and please bring a dish to pass.
Sunday, Dec. 2
SERVICE
SUNDAYS
9am and 11am - CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
Joy to the World! In Costume! The kids have prepared a wonderful celebration
for our Sunday services.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 6:30pm - CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE
Have a favorite song, poem, skit or Christmas tradition you would like to share?
Join us for this community gathering of talent and fun as we prepare for the joys
of Christmas. Contact Lael to sign up, or with any questions.
All Ages and Talents Welcome!!!!
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
12pm - Simple Service of Song and Story
4pm - Family Friendly—Wigglers Welcome
8pm – Christmas Eve with Choirs and Organ
11pm – The Hush and Wonder of Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 28 - NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – WINTER BREAK
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YOUTH EVENTS
v
You ever heard of a man named Bob Goff? He wrote a delightful book entitled Love Does. Look up
his videos online, he is great. His major premise, based on the hilarious and inspiring anecdotes
that make up the story of his life, is that we need to spend less time
as a church in “Bible Study” and more time in Bible Doing, because
love does not just sit there, it does.
This is one thing I am loving about working at Christ Church. Here,
love really does. Having nearly thirty teenagers show up on a
Saturday night to help make lefse, all in the name of serving
Kentuckians over the summer, is inspiring to me. Having a church
full of young people that care about our reconciliation work within
impoverished communities, within the LGBT community, with
people with disabilities, and much
more, is exciting. I’m so grateful this church supports all the
passions and interests of our students, because their enthusiasm is
infectious. Let’s catch the fever, this month of December: let’s find
ways during the holidays to be touching lives that look different
from ours, and allow our own lives to be touched as well.
Peace of the coming Emmanuel,
Katy
What’s coming up?
Bring us your donations for college student care packages! We will be assembling them with the
mid-high Sunday school December 7th. Drop off candy, snacks,
encouraging notes, ear plugs, whatever you think you wanted as a
young student during the crazy time of finals! Also let us know if you
know of students who want a care package.
Dec 5: Messy Game night: First Friday hang out with mid-high students
will be playing messy, fun, crazy games to stay warm on a presumably
cold December night, from 7-9 pm.
Dec 7: ASP Christmas brunch from 9:00am-12:00pm
Dec 13: Senior High Second Saturday hang out will be going to the Bella
Voce choir concert at 7:30. Buy tickets here; we will meet at church at 7:00
to walk/drive over. <http://www.singoutloud.org/>
Dec 14: Holly Jolly Trolley at 4:00 pm!
Dec 20: Service opportunity, UMW Christmas Tea. If you want to practice your waiter or waitress
skills and serve the women of our congregation, let Katy know at [email protected]. We
promise you will be rewarded by delicious treats!
Dec 28: College kid hang out: if you are back in town for the holidays and have been away, come
have luncheon on us! Let Katy know if you’re interested [email protected]
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Re me mb er ing ...
Reminders From
Pastor Nancy
Rev. Charles Butler
Born: 01/28/27
Passed Away: 10/29/14
Newcomers Corner
Our next Newcomer Coffee will be Sunday Jan.
4 at 10:10 am. CUMC 101, an event for those
wishing to join Christ Church, will be held on
Sat. Jan. 10 from 9am –noon. It will include
fabulous food, faith sharing, some background
on United Methodism and Christ UMC. We
will take in new members again on Jan. 25.
Grace Thompson
If you would like to meet with a pastor or lay
Born: 09/02/28
leader, please let us know. We also invite you to
Passed Away: 11/03/14
share prayer requests. Help us know how we
can be helpful in your faith journey. Contact us:
[email protected] or 289-4019.
Welcome New Members
On Sunday Nov. 16 we welcomed four adults
and three children into membership of Christ
Shirley Jeske
UMC. They include: Bonnie Rogers, Kris and
Born: 05/18/23
Garrison Lloyd, Julie Ray and family.
Passed Away: 11/08/14
November Baptisms
Nixon Clyde Prince
Son of Tiffany Prince and Jeff Kothenbeutel
Born January 10, 2014
Barbara Bakella
Colin Wilson Morgan
Born: 10/18/21
Son of John and Kristin Morgan
Passed Away: 11/08/14
Born July 17, 2014
Luke Andrew Carlin
Son of Jeremiah and Katie Carlin
Born November 15, 2013
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CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Father Richard Rohr,
Director of the
Center for Contemplative Action
Albuquerque, NM
December 14 and 21 at 10:10
or January 11 and 18 at 10:10
Mettam Conference Room
Fr. Richard Rohr does not approach the subject of contemplative prayer in the way that has been
familiar to most of us. In this 2-part DVD, he lays out the complex relationship between the “real me”
and the “false me,” each of which leads to a radically different kind of spiritual journey. Fr. Rohr is a
highly regarded progressive theologian who challenges and teaches without losing the listener’s rapt
attention. A half hour presentation will be followed by discussion.
Facilitated by Pastor Martha Hendricks.
CHRISTMAS ANONYMOUS DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Christmas Anonymous provides gifts, food, and clothing for over 600 low-income families with
children each year. Senior boxes are also distributed to over 300 senior citizens. Christmas
Anonymous thanks Christ United Methodist Church for providing volunteers and the space for the
donation center and "store". On Saturday, Dec. 13, the parents select gifts for their children at the
"store".
Donations of money, used and new toys and books, new teen gifts, wrapping paper, new and used
coats, snow pants, shoes, skates and boots are needed. The donation center is open at CUMC
Monday Dec. 1 - Saturday, Dec. 6. Hours are 8am-4pm on Mon-Thurs and 8-noon on Saturday.
There are also several opportunities to volunteer. On Monday, Dec 8 the food boxes will be packed
starting at 6pm in Wesley Hall. Families with children are welcome to pack food boxes.
Escorts are needed to take the parents through the "store" on Saturday, Dec. 13. Escorts must be 16
or older. You can sign up to be an escort on this web page: http:www.christmasanonymous.org/
Volunteers are also needed to work in the "coat/snowpants" area. Volunteers are needed to
set up Thursday, Dec. 11 starting at 6pm and Friday, Dec. 12 from 9am - 3pm. Volunteers over the
age of 16 are needed to distribute the coats on Saturday, Dec. 13.
To volunteer to work with the coats, contact Diane Hellie ([email protected], 507-398-6329).
NEW SPIRIT
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UMW NEWS
UMW had a unit meeting in November with
Circle 8 providing the refreshments. Pastor
Elizabeth Macaulay installed the officers for
2015. Following are the officers:
President: Deedee Odell
Program Coordinators: Ruth Van Vugt and
Piroska Lueck
Nominations: Marsha Wike, chair and Joyce
Sharp, Rose Kliewer and Diana Eickelberg
Parliamentarian: Elene Pattinson
Yearbook Editor: Ann Roering
Representative to Emma Norton: Darlene Miller
Quilting Group: Pat Feeser
Book Group: Ruth Van Vugt
Circle Chairs: Grace Swanson, Piroska Lueck,
Sandy Shirk/Heath, Pat Feeser, Jan Iverson and
Treasurer: Gay Segar, Asst. Treas.: Kathy Lawson
Lael Van Ert
Mission Coordinators for:
Mission Recognition: Jo Sheldon, chair and Janet
Hird, Marlys McCoy and Diane Hellie
Spiritual Growth: Wailana Barker
Secretary: Linda Roberts
Social Action: Jean Dunn and Ruth Colville
Education and Interpretation: Peg Anderson
Membership Nurture and Outreach: Gwen
Scilley and Janet Hagen
Secretary of Program Resources: Kathy Krob
“Hire an ASP Computer Wiz - I Did!”
“Is there anyone of the ASP youth that can
assist me with a computer project?” I asked one
Sunday morning at the ASP table. “Yes, we have
Cullen Zimmer,” so I “hired” him right that
moment.
Cullen, his father, and I met for an hour at the
church. I explained how I hoped to get into the
21st century with a power point for my Orphan
Train Riders presentation. He listened carefully
and used his computer right next to mine. We
transferred my program to his computer so he
could work on it at home.
On Sunday, November 9th, we put our
computers side by side and went through the
program. We had to make a few adjustments; but
there it was all within a power point. I wrote out
a check to help him with his journey to Kentucky
next summer.
If you want to learn something new to do with
your computer, check with the ASP group. It is
better for us mature persons to learn just the one
item we want or need to know. Then, use it
awhile and try something else new. Of course,
write a check to ASP to assist these youth on their
mission trip.
Dorothy A. Lund Nelson
Andrew Galuska provided the program on
Hymnody. He told us about 3 hymns, “It Is Well
With My Soul,” “Amazing Grace,“ and “How
Great Thou Art”. We sang each and Andrew
provided an improvisation on each also. We
learned some interesting trivia! There were
about 40 members in attendance.
FOUNDATION GROWTH COMMITTEE
The growth committee of the Foundation has
three major responsibilities:
1. Making the congregation aware of what we
do and sharing the “good news” of the grants
that are made each year
2. Provide educational opportunities for the
congregation on how various gifting vehicles
can be implemented for their planning goals
3. Working with the donors of restricted gifts to
make sure use of the gift is clearly written, so
that it may comply with the mission of the
Foundation
We thank all of our past donors who have been so
generous. Their generosity will allow the
Foundation to continue to do its work for
generations to come.
Current Foundation managed assets as of
10/31/2014: $523,095.03
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Food at Christ Church
Between November 22nd and 26th, Christ Church volunteers served food to five groups!!
Saturday was Bishop Ough's meeting, with box lunches, and Saturday Noon Meals. On
Sunday we celebrated at the New Beginnings Feast. On Thanksgiving Eve we enjoyed
homemade pie after the Interfaith Service. We had wonderful volunteers for all these
events! Thank you for your support and participation, Christ Church!
What a great time we had eating our Canadian Honker meatloaf dinner with fruit cocktail
torte. We now know we can serve almost 400 people.... we have the tablecloths, tables,
chairs, plates, cups and forks!!
I want to thank all the volunteers who gave their time willingly to set tables, make the
dessert, serve the meal and coffee, and help with cleanup. We had more than 50 helpers
including Boy Scout Troop 21.
Stew & Carol Swanson, dessert & clean up
Grace Swanson, decorations
Elene Pattinson, coffee
Gwen Scilley, kitchen
Marjie Blaisdel, serving dessert
Thank you for making this a wonderful success!
Deedee Odell, chair
Bishop Ough’s Visit
On Saturday the 22 of November, Bishop Ough
came to CUMC to share some thoughts, prayers and
ideas. Jeannie Harris and Sue Knutson also
gathered their prayers and actions as they prepared
snacks for the bishop’s day at CUMC. Their food
and décor echoed his Wesleyan vision of Faith, Fruit
and Fire.
Saturday Noon Meals was shared with Bishop
Ough and eleven who gathered together for
additional prayer, planning and sharing of ideas.
Their lunch was ham, scalloped potatoes, green
beans and fruit salad.
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NEW SPIRIT
EVENTS IN DECEMBER
December 7th:
9 AM—12:30 PM: ASP Brunch
UMW Cookie Sale
4 PM: Gay Men’s Chorus Concert
December 13th:
8 AM—5PM: Christmas Anonymous
December 14th:
4 PM: Holly Jolly Trolley
December 20th:
December 21st:
9 and 11 AM: Children’s Program
December 23rd:
7 PM: Christmas Eve, Eve Festival
December 24th:
12 PM: Simple Service of Song and Story
4 PM: Family Friendly—Wigglers Welcome
8 PM: Traditional Service of Carols and Choirs
11 PM: The Hush and Wonder of Christmas
The church office will be closed Dec. 24 after
12 PM and Dec. 25-26, as well as Jan. 1-2.
2—4 PM: UMW Christmas Tea
Po inse tt ia Ord ers
DEVOTIONAL BOOKS FOR SALE
In upcoming church bulletins there will be order
We Make the Road by Walking by Brian McLaren
forms if you would like to share a poinsettia plant
Every Sunday we make our way through this book
with others this Christmas season. You can place
during worship, and it’s not too late to join
this form in the offering plate or turn it into the
in. Books are available for purchase in the church
church office. Each plant is $12.50. The deadline
office for $20.00 each.
for poinsettia orders is December 16th.
You may either pick up the poinsettia after 10AM
on December 29th, or if you would like, have it
The Upper Room
delivered to a homebound or bereaved person. We A daily devotional guide published bimonthly.
Available in the church office, free will offering.
would like to have about 85 plants to deliver.
Thank you for supporting this ministry of caring to our
homebound and bereaved members.
We are also in need of volunteers to deliver the
poinsettias to homebound and bereaved members.
If you are able to help, please call Carolyn Chaapel
at 288-4459 or Rachel Mullenbach at 282-9034. All
are welcome.
Upper Room Disciplines 2015
A devotional guide for Christians who want to
delve deeper into scripture and apply it to their
daily lives. The church will be placing an order for
books, which cost $10.00 each. Please contact the
church office if you would like to order a book.
Christ United Methodist Church
400 Fifth Avenue SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: 507-289-4019
Fax: 507-289-3648
E-mail: [email protected]
Advent devotionals
Please visit www.faithsounds.blogspot.com for our daily advent devotional, activities for kids, and family
prayer.
Advent devotional books, with contributions from clergy and church members, will be available for free
in the church office and other locations around the church beginning November 30th.