This weeks schedule:

Tuesday

• The Edith Allen Circle of the United Methodist Women will meet at 11:30 at Mona Petersen’s home for fellowship and lunch.  Another agenda item, the upcoming 90^th birthday party for Morris Watson.  The UMW is assisting his family in hosting the party on January 28th from 2 – 4 pm.

Wednesday

• A very important meeting of the Diversity Task Force begins at 6:00 pm in the church library.  The main agenda item will be the planning of the Marriage Equality March to Olympia on February 11^th.  There will be an event at our church during the afternoon.  All are welcome to come to the meeting to see how you could be involved.  It would be great to need to move a larger room for the meeting!

Just a reminder, especially to members of the Church Council:  Newsletter articles for the February newsletter are due next Tuesday January 24^th.  We haven’t had a full newsletter since December and people want to know about your plans for the new year!

Stay warm and dry and safe!

This weeks schedule:

Tuesday

• The Walking the Road to Bethlehem study concludes with sessions at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm.  This has been a wonderful study led by our Pastor.  I have enjoyed it very much.
• The Edith Allen Circle meets at 11:30 am at Sharon Klump’s home.  All women of the church are welcome.  Please let Sharon know that you plan to attend.

Thursday

• The women’s book club meets at Sharon Fosburg’s home at 6:00 pm.  The book we are discussing is Pope Joan.  You are invited to bring an appetizer type food to share.  Dessert will be provided.  You are welcome to attend, even if you have not read the book.  There is always good interesting discussion.  January’s book is Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

Saturday

• Our Christmas Eve service begins at 7:00 pm.  It is always a beautiful service.  I know you will not want to miss it!

Sunday

• Worship at 10:30 am as usual.  There will not be Sunday School on Christmas or New Year’s Day.

Remember your food donations are welcome through New Years Day for Community House (coffee, sugar, creamer, hot chocolate mix and liquid hand soap) and our Tide Me Over program (food items listed in the December newsletter.  Place items for Community House in the wagon near the door to fellowship hall and items for Tide Me Over in or near the basket at behind the back pew in the sanctuary.  Especially at this time of year, we should be thankful for all our blessings and happy to share with others.

Tonight – Monday

• Choir practice begins at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary.
• PFLAG meets at 7:00 pm in the choir room.
• SCA meets at 7:00 pm for potluck dinner and meeting in the fellowship hall.

Tuesday

• Walking the Road to Bethlehem study takes place in the church library at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm

Wednesday

• Marriage Equality Round Table takes place in our fellowship hall at 6:00 pm.  This is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do!  Lets get a big turnout from our congregation.  You are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert item to share.

Thursday

• The Diversity Task Force meets at 5:30 pm in the church library
• Choir practice begins at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary

Saturday

• Final choir practice before Sunday’s cantata begins at 9:00 am in the sanctuary

Don’t forget that the choir is presenting the cantata next Sunday during the morning worship service.  We are working hard to be sure to be ready for the performance and hope you are all here to enjoy it.

The women’s book group for December has been rescheduled to Dec. 22^nd.  This was necessary because of the last minute scheduling of the Marriage Equality Round Table.  We’ll still meet at Fosburg’s home at 6:00 pm.  Please bring an appetizer type food to share.  We’ll be discussing Pope Joan.  I hope to see you then.

Several of you have asked about special Christmas giving this year.  We will collect food for our Tide Me Over program and also have extra items for Community House. We will collect these items at the church throughout the month of December.  In case you missed it in your newsletter, here again is the list of desired items for the Tide Me Over program

• Macaroni and cheese                                                       Spaghetti Sauce    
• Soup                                                                                      Peanut Butter
• Canned meat (turkey, chicken, tuna, spam)              Crackers      
• Canned dinners (beef stew)                                           Baked Beans
• Canned chili                                                                         Pasta
• Canned vegetables                                                            Rice and rice mixes
• Canned fruit                                                                         Bar soap
• Cereal                                                                                     Toilet Paper
• No out of date items, damaged packaging or repackaged items please.

Items for Community House for December: (These are the things they need most at the shelter at this time.)

• Coffee
• Creamer
• Sugar
• Hand soap

If you would prefer to donate money for these causes, just mark your donation “Christmas Giving”.

Last night our Sunday evening study group concluded the Eclipsing Empire study.  We all really enjoyed all 12 sessions.  The DVD showed beautiful film of Turkey that enhanced the study material.  The study ended with a challenge to study further and we intend to do that after a break.  We learned that the over riding message of the Bible is social justice and that is what Christianity should be about.  Marcus Borg (one of the presenters) encouraged us to study the books of Amos and Micah and we are looking for material to do just that.  We also know that action is called for as well as study and we are going to be more aware of what is required and expected of us as Christians.  I encourage you to join us when we begin our next study.

Tuesday

•  10:00 am and 6:30 pm will be the study Journey to Bethlehem. If you missed the first session you can still attend. The same study will be the same in each session so one could attend the one that fits your schedule best.

Thursday

• 10:30 am The United Methodist Women meet. Please meet at the church at 10:30 to carpool down town. The plan for the day is to shop at one or more thrift stores in down town Longview and purchase things that will be donated to the Emergency Support Shelter. Nadine will have suggestions from the shelter as to what items are needed. After shopping we will enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. All women of the church are welcome and encouraged to join us.
• Choir practice for the Christmas Cantata begins at 6:30 pm in the choir room. We have a wonderful choir, but there is always room for more! The cantata will be presented during worship on December 18th.

Saturday

• Small group ministry training at Vancouver First UMC.
• Small Group Ministry with Brad Kalajainen
  The Rev. Brad Kalajainen will train lay and clergy to develop and grow Small Group Ministry. Touted as one of the most effective ways to both nurture members and grow the church, small group ministry is at the heart of Methodism. John Wesley used class meetings to deepen relationships with God and one another leading to the movement that is known as Methodism. Rev. Kalajainen teaches small group ministry development at the UMC School of Congregational Development and has been invited back after successful trainings in the PNW Conference. Bring a group at a significant discount and register now! Online registration is available until 11/29/11.

Following the training on Small Group Ministry with Brad Kalajainen (see below), The Rev. Brad Kalajainen will engage participants in a discussion about relevant worship. The session will last a maximum of 1.5 hours, will begin at about 3:30PM and is open to all at no additional charge. Bring your questions!

Contact Brad if you plan to attend.

We had a wonderful Sunday yesterday! The worship service was special as it always is. The United Methodist Men prepared and served a great meal after worship.  After dinner several stayed to decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas season. Everything is beautiful, with trees in the sanctuary, narthex and fellowship hall. All looks very festive!

Last evening we covered lessons 8 and 9 of Eclipsing Empire. We will do 10 and 11 next Sunday and finish with session 12 on December 11th. We all agreed that it would be good to finish the study well before Christmas or it would need to be put off until January.

It was great to have Terry and Mary Lou back in worship yesterday! They have both been unable to attend for several weeks because of Terry’s neck surgery and all that has been involved in his recovery. He is doing well now, wearing a neck brace only for the next 2 weeks!

Mona has very little pain and is able to move her arm, but not really do any lifting, etc. She sees her surgeon tomorrow and hopes to be given the green light for getting out and doing things! Modern medicine is a wonderful thing!

Remember Ed in your prayers as he had knee replacement earlier this morning. We hope that he will be up and around and back with us very soon.

Have a good week and enjoy those Advent meditations in your inbox every morning!

Today – Monday

• Worship team was scheduled tonight, but the meeting will need to be rescheduled. Those of you on the committee, expect to be notified soon of the new meeting time.
• PFLAG meets at 7:00 pm in the choir room. All are welcome at the meetings.
•  SCA group meets in meeting room one/library at 7:00pm

Tuesday

•  Edith Allen Circle meets at Vernette Deckman’s home at 11:30 for a lunch, which will be provided. Any of you who plan to attend, please let me (Sharon 430-1753) know if you plan to come so we will have enough food.
•  The Ocean Park Site Advisory Team meets at 7:00 pm in the choir room.

Wednesday

• The Diversity Task Force meets at 6:00 pm in the library.

Thursday

•  Choir practice begins at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. This is a for Advent and Christmas only. What a great chance to be part of the choir and enjoy some of the wonderful Christmas music. Robert has music for us and feels confident that we can put this together in time for Christmas! Come join the fun.

Friday & Saturday

•  SCA will be setting up Friday for an all day event on Saturday.

Next Sunday

•  The all-church potluck lunch will be next Sunday rather than the last Sunday this month. This will also be our opportunity to celebrate the ministries of the church. Come prepared to talk about/hear about the many ways Longview UMC is in ministry in our community and beyond.

Sunday, November 27th

•  The United Methodist Men will be provided dinner for the congregation. The main course will be your choice of steak or chicken. Be sure to plan to stay after worship for this! After lunch will be “Hanging of the Greens” – decorating our church for Advent and Christmas. Plan now to come for church and spend the day!

I’m passing along a note of thanks from Evonne who asked for prayers recently for her good friends Ralph and Sue.Sue, her family, and I wish to thank you all for your prayers. Ralph peacefully completed his earthly journey yesterday @ 10:00 am. My life is richer from his friendship and now having the comfort of visualizing him whistling about heaven.

Brad Euren has asked me to pass along the following great training opportunity being offered by the Vancouver District. This could really be of great benefit to our congregation. Brad intends to attend and urges others to do so as well. Those of you who receive the District newsletters can access all information from the November 9th update.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

Saturday, December 3, 2011 * 10am – 3pm * Vancouver First UMC

This learning experience will walk you through the vision and practical steps for implementing a life-changing small group system in your local church. Led by Dr. Brad Kalajainen, the Lead Pastor at Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. This workshop is open to both lay and clergy. The cost is $10 per person or $50 per congregation. For more information or to register click here

This weeks schedule:

Today – Monday

• November newsletter articles are due today!
  Anyone can contribute material that is of interest to the congregation for the
  newsletter.  Feel free to email your articles to the church office
  today.
• The Leadership Team meets at 6:00 p.m. in the church
  library.  This is a critical meeting for filling leadership positions and
  preparing for the upcoming Charge Conference.

Tuesday

• We are invited to join the Presbyterian Church at their
  “4^th Tuesday” event at their church.  This month’s topic is “Eating
  Well on a Budget” presented by WSU Extension Educator Debbie Fredricks.  It
  begins at 5:30 p.m., child care is provided and there will be refreshments
  available after the session.  The Presbyterian Church is located at
  38^th & Pennsylvania St.

Friday

• The big costume dance sponsored by our Diversity Task Force
  begins at 7:00 pm at the Women’s Club.  Everyone over 18 is welcome to attend,
  especially GLBT people.  If you would like to help with this event, contact
  Eileen to see what you can do.

Next Sunday

• It is the last Sunday of the month and time for the all
  church potluck!  Bring a dish to share and plan to stay for lunch after
  worship.  The United Methodist Women will provide dessert.

Coming up November 5^th at our church – companion
training.  This training was offered in September at the Episcopal Church.  A
few of our people attended but now more of us have the opportunity.  This
training is for all of us who would like to be helpful to people who are
confined to home, recovering from illness or need human companionship (and who
doesn’t?!).  We can all benefit from this training.

Twelve from our church plus Ruth our spiritual leader enjoyed the weekend at Ocean Park  Camp
and all that the Long Beach Peninsula has to offer. We enjoyed the
time of community and sharing, having our meals provided without having to plan,
cook or clean up, exploring the unique shops in Ocean Park and Long Beach,
singing, worshiping and just relaxing.  The weather wasn’t the best for wanting
to be on the beach, but that didn’t keep us from having a wonderful time.  This
was the second annual women’s retreat and we unanimously agreed to go back next
year.  Our reservation is for Oct. 19-21, 2012 so all women of the church can
mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

Tonight

• 6:30 is the monthly Church Council meeting in
  meeting room 1.  All leaders of the church are expected to attend and anyone
  involved in the life of the church is welcome to attend.

Tuesday

• 11:30 a.m. the Edith Allen Circle of the UMW meets
  at Mona Petersen’s home for potluck lunch.  Please let Mona know if you plan to
  attend.

Friday through Sunday is the United Methodist Women’s second
annual retreat at Ocean Park Retreat Center and Camp.  If you would like to go
and have not previously registered you must let me know today.  If you notice
some spaces that are usually occupied are empty next Sunday, it will probably be
because we are at the beach!  We look forward to this time of relaxation and
renewal and plan to come back refreshed and ready to get back to
work!

Some of the joys and concerns raised in worship
yesterday:

• A recent poll showed that 56% of Americans favor same sex
  marriage!
• Our wonderful accompanist Phil has been hired to be
  accompanist at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Rock.  He will be with them
  for an early service and still be able to be with us on Sunday mornings.  Phil
  says that he really needed this additional job, so we are happy for him – any
  especially happy for us that he is still able to play for us.
• Pat shared that she is more free of pain than she
  has been for years, at last after two knee replacements and other procedures.
  We are all so happy for her.
• Remember Peggy at Crawford House and Terry at Americana.
  They will appreciate our call, notes of encouragement and visits.
• After weeks of packing boxes, Dan and Sarah are planning to
  load up the boxes and move to their new home in California next weekend.  The
  plan is to load the truck on Saturday and they could probably use more help.
  Call Dan to see if your help is needed.
• I want to share my personal joy and thank you all for your
  support and encouragement during my year of cancer treatment.  As I shared in
  worship yesterday, I am finally finished with all the chemotherapy, radiation
  and all that went with it.  Gene and I appreciate so much all the love and help
  we received.  My plan now is to stay healthy!  Special thanks to Mona and
  Vernette for the special cake and flowers at coffee hour yesterday.  The flowers
  are still pink and pretty in our house.

Back in September a “companion training” was held at the
Episcopal Church.  Our congregation was invited and a few attended but not very
many knew about it.  Another session will be held at our church on November
5^th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.  There will be more about this
training in our newsletter, etc. but we hope you will mark your calendars now
and plan to attend.

Tuesday October 25^th we are invited to Longview
Presbyterian Church for their  “4^th Tuesday Topics” .  Beginning at
5:30 pm, this month’s topic is Eating Well on a Budget presented by Debbie
Fredricks, WSU Extension Educator.  Lets get a good turn out from our church.  I
know many of us could benefit from this education.  Child care is provided and
refreshments will follow the presentation.

Today – Monday

• Staff Parish Relations Committee meets at 7:00 pm in the
  church library
• PFLAG meets at 7:00 pm in the choir room
• SCA group meets at 7:00 pm in meeting room

Wednesday

• The Diversity Task Force meets at 6:00 pm in the church
  library.  This is a different time from their regular meeting.  The meeting will
  focus on preparations for the Costume Dance being held October 28th at the Longview Woman’s Club.
  

Thursday

• The women’s book club has their monthly meeting at Julie
  Cliffton’s home.  The book being discussed is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta
  Lacks”.  Shannon will lead the discussion.  It is a ways to the
  Cliffton’s home, so those attending are encouraged to meet at the church at 6:30
  pm on Thursday in order to carpool.

What a wonderful worship service we had yesterday!  We heard
a great reminder that God loves and accepts us “just as we are” (sermon topic)
and wants us to do the same with others.  It was good to be reminded of what we
should already to practicing!

Some joys and concerns raised in worship
yesterday:

• Bob and Suzanne have finally been able to move back home
  after so many months in Seattle while Bob underwent a stem cell transplant and
  they dealt with all that is involved in the recovery.  As he told us yesterday,
  he still has a long way to go.  It will be a year to be fully rehabilitated, but
  it so good to know they are home and he is on the recovery path.  They expressed
  how thankful they are for our congregation and the many acts of kindness they
  have received.  I just have to say again how good it is that they are back and
  we can experience their actual presence in worship and not just the virtual
  (SKYPE) version!
• The United Methodist Men had a very successful work day at
  the Ocean Park Camp last Saturday.  They  had six men working to teardown the
  deteriorating outdoor play structure on the playground.  They finished that job
  quickly and were given other tasks to fill the day.  I think they plan to make
  this at least a yearly event.
• Please pray for veterans who are homeless or who have other
  needs as well as those currently serving their country in the
  military.
• Praise that the Presbyterian Church has ordained an openly
  gay Pastor and hope that the United Methodist Church will soon be allowed to do
  the same.
• Peggy is settled and doing well at Crawford House in
  Kelso.  She welcomes visitors from the church and asks that they call to arrange
  a visit.  Her phone number is the same she had at her house.
• Terry is recovering and rehabilitating from spinal surgery at the Americana nursing home (on 7^th Ave. across from the
  soccer fields).  He welcomes visitors from the church.  He is in room
  35.
• Please pray for John as he and Janie learn to deal
  with his repertory problems.
• You are encouraged to sends cards and notes of
  encouragement to Christopher, call the church for his address.  He should be released later
  this month and really needs the encouragement of his church family.  Let him
  know that God loves him and we do too!

Registration for the women’s retreat at Ocean Park Camp is
due by next Sunday.  All women of the church are invited and encouraged to
attend.  We’ll be traveling to Ocean Park Friday Oct. 21^st and
returning Sunday Oct. 23^rd.  Three meals will be provided on Saturday
as well as brunch on Sunday.  If you have not already turned in your
registration and at least $50 of the $100 fee please do so by Sunday.  This is
our second annual retreat and all who attended last year had a wonderful time.
This year will be wonderful too, under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Ruth
Mathis.

Travel along with our local PFLAG by joining as members.
It’s $15 for individual or family.  October is the beginning of the PFLAG year and we could use
your support and encouragement as we inform our communities and help those who
are struggling with sexual orientation issues.

To join or re-up please come to our meeting today in Cathlamet or this Monday
at Longview United Methodist Church. The meeting
in Cathlamet is 5 p.m., St. James Family Center.
The Monday meeting is 7  p.m., music room, LUMC.

To mail a check, just send to PFLAG, 2851 – 30th Avenue, Longview 98632. PFLAG is going
electronic, so we need name, address, email and phone if
possible.

I notice “Janey’s Wagon” is looking rather empty.  You are
encouraged to bring donations of peanut butter and/or jelly to be donated to
Community House.  As we head into the wintery time of year the needs of the
homeless become even more critical and this is one small way we can
help.

There is still time to join the adult Sunday school class.
They meet in the church library at 9:30 am and are studying the book “Saving
Jesus from the Church” by Robin Meyers.  This book is very progressive and
thought provoking.   The book can be purchased at Paperbacks Galore.  They will
order it for you if it out of stock and it will only take a day or two to get
it.  Yesterday’s discussion centered on the prologue and next Sunday we will get
into chapter one.  We will not necessarily do one chapter a week.  Join us
Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the library!

Today – Monday

• The officers, and anyone else interested, of the United Methodist Women are meeting
  at 2:00 pm to plan next year’s activities and set up a proposed budget.
• The Lay Leadership Team meets at 6:00 pm in the church library.
• The Staff Parish Relations Committee meets at 7:00 pm in the church
  library.

Thursday

• The United Methodist Women meet at 10:30 am for their monthly meeting.  All women
  involved in the life of the church are welcome and encouraged to
  attend.
• The Trustees meet at 7:00pm in the church library for their monthly
  meeting.

Friday & Saturday

• The United Methodist Men are sponsoring a work day at Ocean Park Camp on Saturday.
  Those who are able are encouraged to go Friday evening, spend the night in one
  of the camp buildings and begin work on Saturday.  Please let Gene Fosburg
  (430-6881) know if you are able to attend.

Many prayers and joys were shared during worship yesterday and I’m going to attempt
to list most of them.  I apologize in advance if I have missed
any.

• If all goes according to plan, Bob Martinson will be back home some time this week!  We
  hope they will be able to be with us for worship next Sunday.  Warning:  Bob
  still has to be very careful not to be exposed to germs, etc. and he will most
  likely sit in the back and not be able to receive the hugs and handshakes we are
  all anxious to share, but won’t it be wonderful to have them back with
  us?
• Frank’s brother Robert was having heart surgery yesterday and the Webb’s ask for prayers
  for a good outcome.
• Terry Bowser has had successful back surgery and is at the Americana nursing home (on 7^th Ave. across from the soccer fields) for rehabilitation.  Terry is
  in room 35 and would welcome visitors.
• Terry Alvarez’ son John is having surgery on his wrist on
  Tuesday.
• John Seeborg’s niece Kathy is also having surgery this week.
• Ann’s daughter April’s house has sold, pending inspection, and April will soon be
  relocating to Indiana.
• United States military chaplains are now authorized to perform same sex marriages in
  states where they are legal.
• Peggy is adjusting to life at Crawford House and is hoping to be able to drive soon and
  join us for worship on Sundays.
• Kathi (Shaw) LaForge is in remission from her cancer and is busy enjoying
  life!

Sunday school began yesterday for adults and young children.  The adult class is
studying the book “Saving Jesus – from the Christian Church”.  You still have
time to get the book and join the class next week.  Thanks to Barbara and
Sharon for stepping up to teach these two classes!  It would be great to
have a class for older children as well.  Please contact Pastor Jerry if you
would like to do that.  We have material!

Following is a notice that some of you may be interested in.  It comes from our District
office.

Jerry’s absence is changing the church schedule for the
current week.

• The Leadership Team, which had been scheduled to meet
  tonight will not meet.  Watch for the rescheduling of that
  meeting.

Thursday

• The only other meeting scheduled for the week is Thursday
  at 3:00 pm for the United Methodist Women’s officers.  Any other women of the
  church are welcome to attend.  The purpose of the meeting is to make a budget
  and do some other planning for the coming year.

Last night we had the first session of the study “Eclipsing
Empire” and I think this is going to be a great group and a great study.  If you
missed it, you are still welcome to come next Sunday at 6:00 pm at Fosburg’s home.
(2673 42^nd Ave.)  It is a 12 part video study based on the travels of
Paul.  It is a wonderful mixture of travel/history/Bible/spiritual and more.
There is no reading required and no “home work” so it is very easy to
participate.  The discussion and sharing is wonderful!

In your October newsletter there is a registration form for
women to attend the United Methodist Women’s annual retreat at Ocean Park the
21^st through the 23^rd.  I also have printed forms that I
distributed yesterday.  I want to repeat that all women involved in the life of
the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend.  It will be a wonderful
of relaxation and renewal with plenty of free time to enjoy being at the beach
and all the Long Beach Peninsula has to offer.  Rev. Ruth Mathis will be our
spiritual leader for the weekend.  We have some scholarship funds available, so
if the $100 registration fee is a problem for you don’t let it stop you from
coming.  I hope we have enough women attending the retreat that our absence is
very noticed in Sunday worship here.  Then we will be appreciated when we are
back the following Sunday!

Correction from the October newsletter and calendar.
Peggy’s address is  not correct.   Please call the church office for the correct address.

Her phone number is unchanged.

The October calendar has the wrong location for the month’s
book club meeting.  The October meeting will be at Cliffton’s home to discuss
“The Immortal Henrietta Lacks”.  There will be more information later on
carpooling plans.