First United Methodist Church of Conway · 2009-11-09 · Issue 3 December, 2007 First United Methodist Church of Conway “Keeping Everyone Informed” December 2 is the First Sunday

Issue 3 December, 2007

First United Methodist Church of Conway

“Keeping Everyone Informed”

December 2 is the First Sunday of Advent. It is the day when the Church officially begins to preparefor Christmas. Advent means “coming,” therefore, we make ready for the coming of the Lord.

Where should we begin? With ourselves, of course. We should prepare our hearts for Christ to live inthem fully. Get rid of the clutter within — the odds and ends of foolish thoughts and familiar sins wefind difficult to let go of and let God handle. Advent is heart-cleaning time, so call in the “Holy SpiritCleaning Service,” and make room for the best Guest anyone ever had. Start now! Let the Spirit“cast out our sin and enter in.” The cleaning service has a guarantee: “When our ‘Worker’ finisheswith your heart, you’ll have the best Christmas ever!”

THE MESSENGERA Publication of First United Methodist Church of Conway

First United Methodist Church1001 Fifth AvenueConway, SC 29526

Phone: (843) 488-4251Email: [email protected] Site: www.fumcconway.orgFAX: (843) 488-5936

Rev. Mac Kinnett, Minister ([email protected])Cheryl Chastain, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor

Jenny Wilburn, Director of Children and Youth MinistriesChristine Schwenke, Child Development Center Director

Elaine Weidman, BookkeeperRichard Jordan, Treasurer

Norman McQueen, Interim Music DirectorMark Bernazzoli, Interim Organist

Newsletter Contacts:[email protected]

Scott Johnson (365-4888)Brenda Wilkins (347-3097)

First United Methodist Church of Conway

Welcomes You!

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

Permit No. 107Conway, SC

“AddressService

Requested”

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.The people of The United Methodist Church

HOW TO CONTACT US1001 Fifth AvenueConway, SC 29526

Office: 843-488-4251Web Site: www.fumcconway.org

FAX: 843-488-5936

Reverend Mac Kinnett, Minister Office Phone (extension 227)[email protected]

Jenny Wilburn, Children and Youth Director Office Phone (extension 226)[email protected]

Cheryl Chastain, Administrative Assistant to the Minister Office Phone (extension 222)[email protected] or [email protected]

Norman McQueen, Interim Music Director (call office and leave message)

Mark Bernazzoli, Interim Organist (call office and leave message)

Elaine Weidman, Bookkeeper Office Phone (extension 228)[email protected]

Christine Schwenke, Director of CDC Office Phone (extension 230)[email protected] or 843-488-9800 direct

NEWSLETTER [email protected]

OR

Scott Johnson Brenda Wilkins843-365-4888 [email protected] [email protected]

Answer to “Test Your Knowledge”: B — Matthew and Luke

Next timeyou’re inChurch take alook aroundyou. Do you seesome newfaces? Haveyou greeted

those who are new in our midst? Inrecent months, we have added newmembers and welcomed others who maywant to make First United MethodistChurch their Church home. Let’s heartilywelcome all worshipers and encouragethose without a Church affiliation toconsider becoming a member of ourcongregation.

Perhaps our growing congregation is God’sgift to us this Holy season because He ispleased with our worship and work in Hisname. I see and feel the results of ouroutreach to the community and in our serviceto God. I hope as you look around you andreflect on this past year of growth andaccomplishments that you can see it too. Wehave so much to be thankful for. Let us givethanks to the Lord for the many blessings Hehas bestowed on this house of worship andthe people, new and old, who come here toworship and serve. May we continue tomake FUMC a welcoming home to all whoenter in to worship and praise the Lord. Andremember, God loves you, and so do I.Mac

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Dear Lord,

You have brought us to Christmastime once more. May we not relishthe glitz, and miss the glory of your incarnation. May we not focus somuch on the parties and the presents, the decorations and the allureof the creations of humans, but instead think of Christ who bore the

imprint of your very being and who carried with intensity and complete dedication your message oflove and hope for us all. In the glorious name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Pastor Mac, with a little help from retired ministerReverend Joe Daniels, inducting Joe’s grandson,John Case, and John’s friend, Ashlee Hendrix, intomembership at First United Methodist Church onSunday, November 11, 2007.

One day when Scott Johnson and I (Brenda) wereworking on the November issue of the MESSENGER,a visitor stopped by for an advance copy. Do any ofyou recognize her? She is Pat Gregory, secretary atFUMC for 25 years. It was following her retirementthat Cheryl Chastain moved into the secretarialposition. Since then, Cheryl has become theAdministrative Assistant to Mac, our minister.

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE EDITORS

With this last issue of 2007, we, the editors, would like to thank everyone for your assistance andsupport of the MESSENGER.

To those who contribute news and updates, we appreciate your time and efforts in keeping usinformed so that we can pass the information on to the whole congregation.

To those who have given us feedback, we thank you for helping us to develop an effective means ofcommunication that is responsive to the needs of all.

To our volunteers, we want you to know what a vital part you play in getting the newsletter out. Ourcirculation is approximately 500, which means a lot of assembling, stapling, and labeling. Youprovide a valuable service to us, and we thank you.

To the office staff, we are truly appreciative of your enthusiasm, guidance, and cooperation in theproduction of the newsletter. We realize that this effort has a significant impact upon you, your workarea, the equipment, and administrative operations. However, you make us feel like an integral partof the administrative team. You make it a pleasure for us to come in to the office to copy, assemble,and mail the Messenger. Thanks, Cheryl, for maintaining and printing out the mailing list. Jenny,you’ve been in on this from the start — thanks for sticking with us.

And to Mac, our minister, thank you for your support of our efforts. You had the vision of anewsletter that could help our committees and various programs communicate their activities andachievements to everyone in the Church. You made it possible for us to produce the newsletterin-house. As we move into 2008, our hope is that we can continue to improve the newsletter andprovide a valuable service to FUMC that will be of benefit to all.

Scott Johnson and Brenda Wilkins

OUTREACH COMMITTEE

FUMC OUTREACH

A new Christmas project is being coordinated by the Outreach Committeeto supply items for each of the 16 boys living at the Waccamaw Youth Centerin Conway. Other groups are providing individual Christmas gifts. The WYCstaff has asked us to provide new bath towels, wash cloths, sheets, andpillow cases, and we would like toprovide baseball caps for each boy.

In order that the number of items and the color of the items arecoordinated, this project will be just a cash donation with theitems being purchased by the Outreach Committee. The estimatedcost for this project is $60 per boy for a total GOAL of $960. If48 people will donate a minimum of just $20 each, we will meetour goal. Checks should be marked for “Christmas WYCProject.” Any donations above the goal will be used to providesome type of outing for the boys (such as tickets to a movie ordinner out at a pizza restaurant), and then any remaining will beused to purchase hams or turkeys for needy families at Christmas through the Help 4 Kids agency. Thisproject will run from Sunday, December 2, through Monday, December 17.

In January, we will again be collecting school supplies for the start of the second semester as was donelast January. The list of items is not as extensive as the collection at the start of school and will beincluded in the January issue of the MESSENGER. The dates for this project will be Sunday, January20 through Monday, January 28. The items will be distributed by Help 4 Kids.

Mark your calendars for the next Blood Drive at our Church which is scheduled for Sunday, April 13,from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. “Thank you” to those that donated at our last Drive on October 21 in which24 pints of blood were given.

CAP food items needed for December are: pasta and sauce, rice, grape jelly, and cereals.

UNITED METHODIST MEN

The United Methodist Men, under the leadership of Jimmy Jones,President, (488-1947), will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Family LifeCenter on Saturday, December 1, 2007. The guest speaker will be

David Bennett. The dinner plans for the United Methodist Women will be finalized at this time.The date for the dinner is December 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

Immanuel or Emmanuel or Imanu’el consists of twoHebrew words (El, meaning “God”) and (Immanu,meaning “with us”). It is a name used in Isaiah 7:14,Isaiah 8:8, and Matthew 1:23.

Magi were a tribe from ancient Media (roughly the areasof present day Kurdistan, Hamedan, Tehran, andAzarbaijan) who were responsible for religious andfunerary practices. Later they accepted the Zoroastrianreligion. No traces of Zoroastrianism exist beyondthe10th century. The best known Magi are the “WiseMen from the East” whose graves Marco Polo claimed tohave seen in what is today Tehran, Iran. In English it isthe origin of the words “magic” and “magician.”

Myrrh is the red-brown dried sap of the tree,Commiphora myrrha, native to Somalia and Ethopia.Myrrh today is a constituent of perfumes and incense. Itwas highly prized in ancient times and was often worthmore than its weight in gold. Myrrh was one of the gifts

of the Magi to the infant Jesus according to Matthew 2:11. Mary would have used it to aide inpostpartum healing.

Swaddling is an age-old practice of wrapping infants snugly in swaddling clothes, blankets, orsimilar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. Swaddling bands were often used tofurther restrict the infant. It was commonly believed that this was essential for the infants to get aproper posture. A modified form of swaddling is still popular today as a means of settling andsoothing irritable infants. The lengthy swaddling clothes of medieval Madonna and Child paintingsare now replaced with receiving blankets or flannelette sheets. The confinement is supposed toprovide warmth and security for a baby who has recently left the womb.

The word “Christmas” is a contraction meaning “Christ’smass.” It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse andOld English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. Thewords for the holiday in Spanish (navidad), Portuguese (natal),Polish (Bo¿e Narodzenie), French (noël), Italian (natale), andCatalan (nadal) refer more explicitly to the Nativity. TheGerman name Weihnachten means simply “hallowed night.”After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7thcentury, Christmas was referred to as geol, the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word‘Yule’ is derived. In early Greek versions of the New Testamentthe letter × (chi), is the first letter of Christ (×ñéóôüò). Since themid-sixteenth century ×, or the similar Roman letter X, was usedas an abbreviation for Christ, i.e Xmas. It is unknown exactlywhen or why December 25 became associated with Jesus’ birth.

The New Testament does not give a specific date for Christ’s birth. Sextus Julius Africanuspopularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his book, Chronographiaus, written inAD 221. This date is nine months after the traditional date of Christ’s conception on March 25, thevernal equinox. Early Christians believed March 25 was also the date Jesus was crucified. TheChristian idea that Jesus was conceived on the same date that he died on the cross is consistent witha Jewish belief that a prophet lived an integral number of years.

During the Reformation, Protestants condemned Christmas celebrations as “trappings of popery” andthe “rags of the Beast.” The Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in a more

religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentary victory over King Charles I, during theEnglish Civil War, England’s Puritan rulers banned Christmas in 1647. Pro-Christmas riotingbroke out in several cities, and for several weeks Canterbury (the center of the AnglicanChurch) was controlled by rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and ivy. TheRestoration of 1660 ended the ban, but most of the Anglican/Episcopalian clergy stilldisapproved of Christmas celebrations. In colonial America, the Puritans of New Englanddisapproved of Christmas, and it fell out of favor in the United States after the AmericanRevolution as it was considered an English custom and therefore “unamerican” to celebrateChristmas. Efforts were made in Victorian England to revive the holiday. Charles Dickens’book, A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, played a major role in reinventing Christmas as

a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion over communal celebration and hedonisticexcess. Christmas was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1870.

Frankincense is an aromatic resin used in incense as well as in perfumesand as aromatherapy. The aroma from frankincense is more valuable for itspresumed healing abilities and is also said to have superior qualities forreligious rituals. The name for this resin possibly comes from “incense ofFranks” since it was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish Crusaders. In theOld Testament, it was used as part of the temple rites. The Egyptians forcenturies had ground the charred resin into a powder called kohl (modernword coal). Kohl was used to make the distinctive black eyeliner seen on somany figures in Egyptian art. The aroma of frankincense is said to representlife, and the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic faiths have often usedfrankincense mixed with oils to anoint newborn infants and individualsconsidered to be moving into a new phase in their spiritual lives.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

This is a busy time of year for the United Methodist Women. On October26, 2007, they held their annual barbeque and bake sale at the Family LifeCenter. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on that rainy day, the ladies servedboxed dinners of pork barbeque, rice, sweet potatoes, cole slaw, bread, andtea. These meals were available for eat-in, take-out, and limited areadelivery. The bake sale accompanied the barbeque, and sold out quickly.After expenses were paid, the UMW made about $1,700 on this fund raiser.

A Christmas Brunch is planned for December 1 at 11:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. The speakerfor this event will be Emma Lou Johnson. Cash donations for the Salvation Army will be acceptedat this time, and two new officers will be recognized. Glenda Harper is the new Vice President, andCharlotte Ives is the new Spiritual Growth Coordinator. Information about the active circles of theUMW is as follows:

Henry/Rogers Circle

Outgoing Leader: Freda JonesIncoming Leader: Brenda Wilkins (347-3097) or [email protected] Treasurer: Helen WhiteIncoming Treasurer: Jan Gawith

Meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m., usually in the Family Life Center.The next meeting is the Christmas party to be held on December 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family LifeCenter. Members need to make their reservations by November 25. Spouses/guests are invited toattend.

Spivey/Ward Circle

Leader: Betty Woodward (248-2433) or [email protected]: Callie Timbes

This group meets the first Sunday of every month at 3:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.A Christmas luncheon is planned at the Sidewheeler Restaurant in Conway on December 11, 2007, at11:30 a.m. Members are asked to bring a toy for a child at the same-day surgery center at ConwayMedical Center.

Burroughs/Collins Circle

Incoming Leader: Wilmarie BoatwrightOutgoing Leader: Tootsie AtkinsTreasurer: Amy Lovell Jenkins

This circle meets the first Tuesday of every month at members’ homes or the Family Life Center.The next meeting is December 4 at Glenda Sweet’s House at 3003 Jordan Circle at 10:00 a.m.

Stilley/Walsh Circle

Leader: Sylvia Richardson (488-5353)Treasurer: Sue Howle

This group meets the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at members’ homes or the FamilyLife Center. A holiday luncheon is planned for Saturday, December 15, at noon at the Sea Captain’sRestaurant in Myrtle Beach.

The United Methodist Women would like to extend an invitation to all the women in the Church tojoin us — any circle that meets your time schedule — for fellowship and, as our purpose states, “toexperience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ.” If you have questions regarding theUMW, please feel free to contact Paula Youngs at home at 347-0474 or by e-mail [email protected].

JOIN US FOR BRIDGE!

Some of the UMW women are getting together on the first and third Thursdays of the month to playBridge. We meet in each others’ homes at 7:00 p.m. and have a great time playing Bridge andenjoying the fellowship that comes with being together for a night out. Don’t worry if you don’tknow how to play — some of us are just learning.

If you would like to join us, please contact Paula Youngs. We will not be meeting during the monthof December because of so many other activities that are going on, but we will resume our Bridgenights beginning with the first Monday in January.

Advent (from the Latin Adventus, “the coming of the Savior”) is a holy seasonof the Christian Church, the four week period of expectant waiting andpreparation for the celebration of the nativity of Christ. Adventus is a Latinword for ‘coming,’ and is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word“perousia, used in reference to the Second Coming. Thus the season of Adventserves as a dual reminder of the original waiting for the birth of the Messiah aswell as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second comingof Jesus. The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new year for theChurch.

An Advent wreath is used to mark the four Sundays ofAdvent with four candles— each candle has a specificmeaning associated with different aspects of the Adventstory. The first one almost always symbolizes expectantHope and is sometimes associated with prophesy. Theothers are organized around characters or themes such asPeace, Love, and Joy. The third (and sometimes fourth)candle is generally symbolic of Joy at the coming ofChrist. A fifth, white or gold candle, called a “ChristCandle,” is often lit in the center on Christmas Eve and/orChristmas Day to signify Christ’s birth. The color schemeand order of symbolic associations for the candles islargely arbitrary but several traditions have adopted themfor the meaning they carry. For Catholics and Protestantsalike, the color of the first, second and fourth candles arepurple, but the third is often rose-colored.

Betrothal is a formal state of engagement to be married. Typical steps of a betrothal used to be:selection of the bride, negotiation of the bride’s price or dowry, blessing by clergy, signing of

contracts, and then celebration. The exact duration of abetrothal varied according to culture and need of the familiesinvolved. The responsibilities and privileges of betrothal vary.In most cultures, the betrothed couple is expected to spendmuch time together, learning about each other. In somehistorical cultures the betrothal was essentially a trialmarriage, with marriage only being required in cases ofconception of a child. In almost all cultures there is aloosening of restrictions against physical contact betweenpartners, even in cultures which would normally otherwise

have strong prohibitions against it. The betrothal period was also considered to be a preparatory timein which the groom would build a house, start a business, or otherwise prove his readiness to enteradult society. A betrothal could be broken at the behest of either party, sometimes for reports of beingpregnant before marriage (i.e Matthew 1:19), though some financial penalty (such as forfeit of thebride price) usually would apply.

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS.

by Dr. Scott Johnson

• He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.—Roy L. Smith

• There has been only one Christmas — the rest are anniversaries.—W.J. Cameron

• It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founderwas a child Himself.—Charles Dickens

• How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep holidays thancommandments.—Benjamin Franklin

• Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.—Helen Steiner Rice

• You can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lostluggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.—Maya Angelou

• One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.—Amy Carmichael

Girzone, Joseph F. Joshua in a Troubled World: A Story for Our Time. New York: Image BooksDoubleday (2005). ISBN#0-385-51183-3 paperback (in FUMC UMW Library) or $11.95 fromwww.doubleday.com or www.amazon.com.

Joshua in a Troubled World: A Story for Our Time, one of Girzone’s many inspirational sequels inhis bestselling Joshua series of novels that imagine Jesus living in the present world, was anexcellent choice for the national United Methodist Women’s Reading List for 2007. In this mosttimely story, Joshua spreads his message of love and compassion from the political streets ofWashington, DC, to the war-torn areas of the Middle East and the peace conference in Oslo.

The book is a fascinating interpretation of how Joshua, an apparent drifter of Middle Easterndescent, would react to our post-911 climate of fear, discrimination, and paranoia. Roaming aroundthe nation’s capital, this present-day incarnation of Jesus, the messenger of love, influences Jewish,Christian, and Muslim leaders — all of whom worship Joshua’s Father — to sue for peace in Israel.

It is not necessary to have read all the prequels to this book to appreciate it, but you will also enjoythe other fictional depictions of Jesus’ stories told in a millennium setting.

[Father Joseph Girzone retired from active priesthood in 1981 and embarked on a successful second career as a writerand international speaker. After introducing readers to Joshua in 1983, he established the Joshua Foundation, anorganization dedicated to making Jesus better known throughout the world.]

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS

FROM THE BOOKSHELF OF THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Read and reported by Eleanor McIntyre

IT WAS A YUMMY DAY!

Some willing workers were caught by the camera at theUMW Barbeque and Bakesale. Clockwise from thetop: Lois Sechriest, Betty Woodward, Glenda Sweet(Bud Hale in background), Jan Gawith (Anne Haleand Linda Locklair in background), and Anne andBud Hale. Thanks to all our workers. It was a greatday for all!

The CDC will be participating in the Conway Christmas Parade onDecember 8. The theme for our float will be “A Toyland Christmas.” Ifany of the children from the Church would like to join us, please callChris at 488-9800 for more details.

Please join us on December 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for“Carols and Cookies.” The children of the CDC will be singing theirfavorite Christmas songs and then snack on cookies with all those thatattend.

We were able to send money this month to put windows and doors in one ofour “destroyed” Churches. We expect to dedicate that Church in Februarywhen we are there. We were saddened by the news that we have lost our Niasminister and friend with whom we have worked for ten years. He had beentaking treatments for colon cancer for a number of years, but we thought hewas doing well. His death means that we have eight Churches without apastor and that his wife, his eight year old son, and five-month-old daughterwill have only his wife’s $18.00 a month salary to live on. We were able to

help with hospital bills and transportation for his wife and children to come to Sumatra for his funeral,to return home to Nias, and to have a little extra money for a few months. She asks for prayers that shewill be able to bring her children up in the right way now that she’s alone. (Information about theDaniels’ Mission project to Nias Island provided by Joe and Ray Daniels.)

FUMC will be hosting a Job Function Workshop on Sunday, January13, 2008, to train new and returning Church leaders. No need totravel anywhere. Sessions will last about two hours or less. Thosewho should plan to attend are the Chairpersons of the ChurchCouncil, Worship, Evangelism, Outreach, Discipleship,Congregational Life, Stewardship, Communications, Staff-Pastor-

Parish Relations, Trustees, Finance, and Lay Leadership teams. Members of these teams are alsourged to attend to learn how to effectively and efficiently work within our various committees andtask forces. Watch the MESSENGER for more details!

Life has many choices. Eternity has two. What’s your choice?

WORDS OF WISDOM

THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING AND RECEIVING

St. Paul reminded some visiting friends from Ephesus that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give thanto receive” (Acts 20:35, NRSV). However, Jesus did not say that receiving was not blessed. He justsaid the greater blessing comes from giving. Jesus was one who both gave and received.

Jesus was often the recipient of gifts, invitations, and acts of kindness. Gifts were brought to himwhen he was born — some expensive and some as small as the Little Drummer Boy who played hisdrum for him because that was all he had to give. Jesus enjoyed being an overnight guest insomeone’s home or being a guest for a meal. He allowed Mary to anoint his feet with costly perfume,and did not object when she wiped his feet with her hair (John 12:2-3, NRSV). He even asked forand received a drink of water from the Samaritan woman, although Jews and Samaritans usually hadnothing to do with one another (John 4:7, NRSV).

The bottom line is this: Be a giver, give not just things of monetary value, but like the LittleDrummer Boy, give of yourself and your talents. And also be a grateful and happy receiver. Givingand receiving both bring blessings. We have a good example of both in the One whom we follow andserve.

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pumA newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pumOur finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pumTo lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pumI am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pumI have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pumThat’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pumThe ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pumpumI played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pumI played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pumMe and my drum.

It is good that we think of the American military and their families thisholiday season when we gather with our own families over tables laden witha feast and around decorated trees barricaded with gaily wrapped presents.

We are a nation at war, and these holidays are somehow dimmed by thethought of our men and women in harm’s way in the combat zones of Iraqand Afghanistan as well as in a hundred other places around a troubledworld.

For the families of the 175,000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan andelsewhere, their Christmas wish will be for the safe return home of theirloved ones serving our country and keeping us safe. For those families,“Peace on Earth” is more than just a holiday greeting. It’s their daily prayer.

Let’s remember our military in our prayers, especially at Christmas, wheneveryone longs to be home for the Holidays.

I was talking with a friend recently, and Imentioned our CDC dilemma. Her firstreaction was, “and there is such a need forgood day care.” Suddenly the word “NEED”struck me. I could not remember the word“NEED” being mentioned in any of ourdiscussions in CDC meetings. As I listenedto the report on missions in Church on Sunday,November 4, I could not help but comparethe ones mentioned to our CDC. What is amission? It is the Church assisting people whoNEED help—providing aNEEDED service. In ourmeetings we have discussedhow to improve the programand how to please thecongregation. I firmly believenow that both of theseobjectives are way “off base.”I now believe that we shouldconcentrate on the NEED forFUMC to provide childdevelopment—yes, for ourchildren, as well as for“strangers”— children andparents outside ourmembership. How many people do you knowpersonally whom we help through ourmissions? Yes, Joe and Rae Daniels, but arethere others? Yet we gladly send our moneyto areas in need without question or first-handknowledge. Is it any less important that weshare our Church facilities and give oursupport to provide children a safe, loving, andChristian environment? This thought bringsup another important fact.

Today child abuse is rampant. We hear horrorstories every day. Parents who place theirchildren in daycare are entrusting thecaregivers with their most valuablepossessions. The CDC at First UnitedMethodist has a long-standing reputation as asafe haven for babies and children. I servedon the CDC Board when Christine Schwenke

ISN’T THE CDC REALLY A MISSION?

Submitted by Churchill Jenkins

was hired. If you have read her “Spotlight on theCDC…” in the November 2007 MESSENGER, yourealize all the requirements, restrictions, inspectionsand licenses that are required for the CDC. Thisinformation leaves little doubt about the care takento provide a safe place for children. So is there a needin our town for licensed child care that meets all therequirements that our CDC meets? No question aboutit. There is a NEED!

Yes, safety, loving care, and healthy, happy childrenare all part of any daycare’s goals. But having a CDC

within our Church provides morethan just these things. It is a schoolbased on Christian principles andacademic programs. It is aDEVELOPMENT center forenriching the lives of the childrenwho attend. I wonder how many ofthe children in our CDC are exposedto Christian principles at home, andhow many parents are Churchmembers anywhere? This might bethe only exposure some of thesechildren have to a Church settingand community. At the end of

Christine’s article she states that the CDC has awaiting list of six months or more. There are parentswho are desperately seeking for their children thethings that our CDC offers. If we decide to discontinuethe CDC, let us consider the plights of the parentswho now have the assurance that their children are ingood care. There are 76 children enrolled and morewaiting. Where else in Conway can they go? Inaddition, the CDC provides employment for a staffof 17. Christine has devoted herself to creating thequality of child care that FUMC now offers to childrenand parents. Thanks to her, the CDC is now a licensed,organized program with trained teachers and highstandards. Can we, with a clear conscience, close ourdoors to what seems to be one of the most importantMISSIONS that we can support? Yes, if a MISSIONis for meeting a need, we NEED to look right here athome—and in our own Church.

December 1Courtney BraddockCallie TimbesJudith Todd

December 2David BennettJan Kyzer

December 3Hank BonnetteLloyd BurroughsSusan JonesKristin KingMary Ward

December 4John HendrixSally HinsonDick LindseyCarolina ToddErin Todd

December 5Bobbie DavisRuth LandLila Myers

December 6Sandra James

December 7Rick BarrettJodi Litviak

December 8Doris HedgepathTucker GoreMarlene Watkins

December 9Eugenia BentonBenjamin Creel

December 10Neal HendrickDickie ThorndykeElizabeth Zantow

December 11Anne CollinsSue HowleJoanne RabonRichard Wellons

December 12Kelly DusenburyWanda Huggins

December 13Bill BryesMary ClarkLori CoxJessica GoldfinchKelsey MorganCole Thompson

December 14Trey CauseyMattie HucksDoug RoofCary Woodle

December 15Bill HugginsJohn SteenJohn Sunday

December 16Collin FleenorAllison KyzerGloria Zwack

December 20Helen Tetterton

December 21Julia LandSusan MungoKimberly SansburyDouglas Thorndyke

December 22Michelle Payette

December 23Mary Ann MehlCindy HarperKatherine SarvisFrank Stilley

December 24Skottowe Fox

December 25Robin GrantJesus

December 26Gene DusenburyWanda Kleine

December 27Gene HenryJoan HenryKeith GawithLee Martin

December 28Teresa BellKathy Richardson

December 29Ryan CoxJoan EdwardsMelinda HymanBill Waggoner

December 31Rick HoltJonathan Simmons

December 17John McIntyreHolley Rankin

December 18Sue GreenRosa HenryLib Jones

December 19Ryan SmallsRichard OwenMicah RichardsonBill TaylorHelen White

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

“GIRLS OF GRACE” CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Girls ages 4-11 are invited to celebrate Christmas together in the Family Life Centeron Friday, December 14, from 5:30 — 8:00 p.m. We will be playing games,decorating cookies, making a gift for a special person, and watching a Christmasmovie. Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate to a girl in need.

FAMILY CAROLING

Sunday, December 163:00 — 6:00 p.m.

Children, youth, and their families are invited to join us in spreading God’s love through carols andvisits. Anyone wishing to attend is invited to meet in the Family Life Center at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday,December 16.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Children should plan to bring their family to this special Christmas Eve servicejust for them on Monday, December 24, at 11:00 a.m. in the Hut. This serviceis planned for children to experience caroling, candle lighting, communion,and the traditions of Christmas Eve worship in a casual, child-friendlyenvironment.

A NOTE FROM OUR INTERIM MUSIC DIRECTOR

During the four Sunday’s of Advent the chancel choir will be singing anthemsdeclaring Christ’s coming. The Christmas Concert scheduled for December 16 hasbeen cancelled due to the lack of time required to prepare for it. However, some ofthe music planned for the concert will be incorporated into the December 16worship service.

Norman McQueen, Interim Music Director

Patrick and Julie CarterAvery and Graham2204 Rosebud DriveConway, SC 29527Phone: 488-2468

Patrick and Julie joined our Church family by transfer from North ConwayBaptist Church. Avery and Graham joined as Preparatory members.

Marie Newman411 Beaty Street

Conway, SC 29526Phone: 488-4559

Marie joined our Church family by transfer of membership from Mount Lebanon UMC inWilmington, Delaware.

John Case and Ashlee Hendrix joined FUMC onNovember 11, 2007.

John Case and Ashlee HendrixStudents at Coastal Carolina UniversityJohn (455-1337) and Ashlee (450-7556)

John and Ashlee both joined our Church family byprofession of faith.

Wild West Fall Fest

A huge “Thank You” to all the people that volunteered their time at the 2007 FamilyFall Festival! From greeting people at the door, picking up supplies, preparingfood, icing down drinks, running game booths, setting up and cleaning up, we really

appreciate you all. We had 900 people at this event, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Planto put the Family Fall Festival on your calendar for Halloween night 2008. December 3

Beth and Sam Hannaford

December 8Joy and Jim Schroeder

December 11Mary and John Long

December 13Teal and Chris Britton

December 15Libby and Billy Jones

December 16Jenni and Dave McAda

December 18Julie and Ed Filyaw

December 20Debby and Mark Brooks

December 25E’Lonna and Bob ButlerMargaret and Philip Thompson

Newsletter

Here’s

the

sc

oop

We have a mailbox set up for your input to thenewsletter. It is located in the Education Build-ing near the CDC Office. We encourage SundaySchool classes, UMM, UMW, Church Council workareas, and all FUMC members to submit newsarticles for inclusion in the newsletter.

DID YOU KNOW???

The bulk mailing cost per copy of the MESSENGER is now 24 cents for those with azip code of 295XX and 30 cents per copy for those outside the 295XX area. When anewsletter is returned because of an incorrect address, the Church is charged another41 cents (65 to 71 cents total and you don’t have your copy of the MESSENGER!)To help us control expenses, please make sure you keep your address up to date withthe Church office (488-4251) so that we don’t mail something that is undeliverable.The MESSENGER is also available online at fumcconway.org. If you prefer to getthe newsletter in this way, please let us know so that we are not mailing out copiesthat are not needed. Thanks so much for your cooperation. We enjoy bringing theMESSENGER to you monthly — one way or the other!

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Sincere Christian sympathy is extended to:

• Jeannie Dusenbury on the death of her aunt, Jean Myers,on October 19.

• Genair Hutchinson following the death of his brother-in-law, L.R. Taylor, Jr., on October 19 in Perrysburg, Ohio.

• Marilyn Deminski and family on the death of her aunt,Mrs. Wilma McPeek, on November 13.

• Marlene Watkins and John and Brenda Wilkinsfollowing the death of her husband and their brother-in-law, Gary Watkins, on November 20.

(AS OF PUBLICATIONDEADLINE)

FUM

C

GIFTS RECEIVED

• Jack Mehl and family following the death of his brother, Karl.

Given in memory of Lauren T. Dusenbury by Bobby Stilley, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Ray, Henry/Rogers Circle

Given in memory of Margaret Brunson Goldfinch by Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Land, Mr. & Mrs.Charlie Hardwick, Mr. & Mrs. Myron Dunn, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Ray

Given in memory of George Hutchinson, Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Hardwick, Mr. & Mrs.Allen Ray

Given in memory of Elizabeth D. Lovell by Mr. & Mrs. Allen Ray

Given in memory of Frank Austin Thompson II by Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Land, Mr. & Mrs.Myron Dunn, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Ray

Given in memory of Buddy Watson by Mr. & Mrs. Myron Dunn

Given in honor of Rev. Ben Barnett by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. Tom Brittain by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Kieran Rhys Gawith by Bobby Stilley

Given in honor of Rev. Carl Harris by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. John Hipp by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. Mac Kinnett by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. Reuben Marlowe by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. Steve Shugart by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

Given in honor of Rev. Regi Thackston by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harper

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

Sunday, December 9

3:00 p.m.

FUMC Sanctuary

Beware the Herdmans! They’re the nastiest, dirtiest kids you could evermeet…and they’ve just decided they belong in this year’s pageant. Butthe town thinks they belong in the care of the local police. When thecurtain finally goes up, a miracle begins – and it all turns into…The BestChristmas Pageant Ever!

Our children and youth have been working hard to bring this best sellingbook to life at First United Methodist Church. Be sure to join us on

Sunday, December 9, for a 3:00 p.m. performance of this delightful Christmas comedy that is sureto make you see Christmas in a different way.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER REHEARSALS

(All remaining rehearsals are in costume!)

• Saturday, December 1 — 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

• Sunday, December 2 — 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday, December 8 — 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TEENAGER SEMINAR

Parents of teenagers sometimes wonder if they are the only ones havingproblems with their child. Parents of pre-teens are sometimes shocked bynew behaviors their child demonstrates. As Christian parents we mustadmit that we live in a world that is not our own and that its substandard

culture and immoral offerings are not what we have in mind for our children.

For these reasons and many others, we are co-hosting a seminar in January to help parents of teensand pre-teens to better understand why teenagers act the way they do; and how you as a parent canrespond in positive ways to normal adolescent behavior. This seminar will also include practical andeasy-to-remember principles to help you build positive relationships with your kids and to encouragethem toward responsibility and self-reliance.

Saturday, January 12

9:00 a.m. – Noon

Christ Community Church

$5 per person / $8 per couple

Registration deadline is December 9

CLEMSON vs USC

The results are in! Our USC fans beat our Clemson fans with a sweeping 139 to86 victory. This means a total of 225 food items were collected for CAP. So,regardless of which team we were for, we all came out winners! Thanks to all whoparticipated in this event.

YOUTH SKI TRIP

7th – 12th graders — get ready for the snow!!

We will travel from Conway, SC, to Winterplace, WV, by chartered bus, andwe will stay slope-side in the Winterhaven Condos at Winterplace Ski Resort.Skiers will have the opportunity to ski for 2 full days (includes night skiing),and non-skiers can enjoy checking out the action on the slopes from thecondos. In addition to skiing we will also have games, great food, andopportunities to get to know each other and God better.

The Trip Details

When: January 18-21, 2008

Where: Winterplace, WV

Who: 7th – 12th graders

Cost: $330/person∇ *

$50 deposit due by November 4.

Remaining balance due December 2.

∇ Deduct $100 for non-skiers or $24 for skier not renting equipment.

* Scholarships are available by request.

For further information on Children and Youth activities, contact Jenny Wilburn, Director ofChildren and Youth Ministries.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Christmas Fruit Baskets are here again! The New Life Class will beselling fruit baskets again this year. They make great gifts for family,friends, and business associates. The cost is $12.00 for the small basket(22 pieces of fruit) or $23.00 for the larger ½ bushel basket (46 piecesof fruit). Anyone interested in purchasing fruit baskets should contactHunter Jenkins (248-9532 or [email protected]),Jimmy Hammond (248-2095 or [email protected]), or any classmember by Thursday, December 13. Checks should be made out to“First United Methodist Church” and marked “New Life Class” in theFOR line. The proceeds from the sale of the fruit baskets will go toneedy families in our community, within our Church, and to help fund

ongoing missions within our Church. The fruit baskets will be available for pick up on Sunday,December16, in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks for your many years of support.

The Expectations Class is doing a study called “Facing Your Giants” by MaxLucado. It’s open to anyone, any age. The focus of the book is first and secondSamuel.

The class will be having a Christmas/New Year’s social on Saturday,January 5, 2008. Contact Jan or Kent Bitting for details.

THE EXPECTATIONS CLASS

THE NEW LIFE CLASS

JOHN MCCUTCHEON CLASS

The annual Christmas party and auction will be held on December 13 at 6:30 p.m.in the Family Life Center. Turkey and dressing will be the main course with classmembers bringing a covered dish to round out the dinner. Members are asked tobring a wrapped gift to be auctioned off as the yearly fund raising event. Membersare encouraged to bring a guest. Contact George Jenkins at 248-5690 for furtherinformation.

FLOWER CALENDAR

The 2008 Flower Calendar is now available for you to adopt for one ormore Sundays during the year. This calendar allows you to reserve a dateto donate the altar flowers in honor of, in memory of, or to the Glory ofGod. There are also still a few Sundays left in 2007 that need floraladoption. The calendar is on the bulletin board in the hallway just outsidethe Church office. You may also call the office at 488-4251 to ask thatyour name be placed on the calendar.

THE ALTAR GUILD

Guild members for the month of December are:

Libby McCutcheonBrenda CuttsJoAnn RayBetty SmithAmy Lovell Jenkins

Two of the four New Testament Gospels tell in some detail about Jesus’ birth. The other two do not.Choose which two Gospels give the Christmas account:

A. Matthew and MarkB. Matthew and LukeC. Mark and JohnD. Luke and John

(Answer on last page of newsletter.)

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

SPECIAL DATES

• First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2007• Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, 2007• Third Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2007• First day of winter, December 22, 2007• Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, 2007• Christmas Eve, December 24, 2007• Christmas Day, December 25, 2007• New Year’s Eve/Watch Night, December 31, 2007

Following are letters we received to share with the congregation:

Dear Church family,

Joe and I want to thank the members of the Church for the prayers andmessages of sympathy given due to the death of our first great grandchild. We buried Paige Ann atThe Camp Ground Cemetery in our family plot. Her parents, Greg and Jenn Raines, live in Fairfax,Virginia. Greg is the son of our daughter, Della, and her husband, Larry Raines.

Rae and Joe Daniels

CONWAY CHRISTIAN WOMEN MEETING

Conway Christian Women will meet on Monday, December 10, at 11:30 for lunch and fellowship atWestminster Presbyterian Church. The cost of the meal will be $4.00. Reservations need to be made nolater than Tuesday, December 3, 2007, by calling 248-4140.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

This fall, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County willcomplete its 81st home. There are over 30 approved familiesin need of simple, decent, affordable housing. How canYOU help us to build the next home so another family can be warm, dry, and

secure? You can be a donor and a volunteer for the 82nd home. If you want to donate moneytoward building a house, you get a tax deduction and can make your donation in honor of or inmemory of a loved one. This would make a great Christmas gift for that person on your list whois hard to shop for and probably has everything they need now. How about getting your business,neighbors, family members, or golf or bowling buddies to be a part of this exciting project? Whoelse can build a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home for just $100? For more information and to make acontribution to the 82nd house, contact Habitat for Humanity at (843) 916-8815 [email protected].

Dear FUMC Scholarship Committee,

Thank you very much for the generous scholarship. I cannot express how badly I needed the moneyand how grateful I am that you provided it. I hope that everything is going well at Church. I lookforward to seeing all of you when I come home for the holidays. I never realized the importance of aChurch family until I moved to Charleston. I really appreciate everything that each of you has donefor me. Once again, I want to thank you for the scholarship.

Sincerely,George H. Martin, III

Are you warm, dry, secure??

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