The Real Reason
By Rev. John Wagner
Like many of you JoAnn and I will be sending out a Christmas form letter pretty soon, sharing news about our kids and their families, our new jobs, our parents and so forth. And like several of you, we will also be mentioning close friends who’ve died.
Frank was the husband of the secretary in our last church, a large man with a full beard and flashing teeth when he laughed or smiled, which was frequently. He had served in Viet Nam, bore the emotional scars of that ordeal, but was also a professional singer, and would liven up our bass section every Christmas. I sat next to him in choir and he would always wink and nod like we were sharing some great fun secret. We saw him this past Labor Day; he died of a heart attack just a few weeks later.
Martha had been a friend for much longer, and was one of the kindest and sweetest people I ever encountered. I met her when we were both freshman at Earlham College, and for some reason we just stayed in touch, attended each other’s weddings, and our families even vacationed together a couple of times. Our most memorable experience may have been the year she, her husband Steve and their young son, Sam, traveled from Chicago to celebrate a “Christmas/Hanukkah” party – a first for all of us. Martha died of a brain tumor this past summer, and at the funeral I told her family, “I never knew a finer person.”
Neither of these good friends shared my Christian faith. Frank would join our church choir during the holidays, but he was also a dedicated member of the Theosophical Society, an international organization committed to a generalized understanding of spirituality not associated with any particular tradition. Martha was a non-practicing Jew, and although we talked about spiritual matters toward the end of her life, as far as I know she never made any explicate profession of belief.
Now I shouldn’t have to do this, being a minster and all, but just in case you’re wondering I actually do believe Jesus is the Son of God and that our religion is the correct one and the others are in error. My non-Christian friends know this is how I feel; I’m not shy about it. Yet I hope they also know I try to draw the line at setting myself up as any kind of judge. That job belongs to someone else, as Jesus had to remind his followers fairly frequently. I’m supposed to honestly share the truth as I see it, while also being a true friend. I hope I did this for Martha and Frank – I know they were for me.
As for Christmas, well, we all know the religious aspects tend to get overshadowed by commerce and secular traditions. We Christians lament this, and we should. But I also think Christmastime can be that moment when we come up for air. We take a deep breath, look around us, and forget for a moment who is right and who is wrong, who is on our side, and who isn’t. We remember we are all human.
Here’s a bit of wisdom about the need for basic human decency by way of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” In this passage Scrooge’s nephew Fred is trying to convince him to join him for the holiday:
“”Uncle!” pleaded the nephew. “Nephew!” returned the uncle sternly, “keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.” “Keep it!” repeated Scrooge’s nephew. “But you don’t keep it.” “Let me leave it alone, then,” said Scrooge. “Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you!” “There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,” returned the nephew. ” Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round — apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that — as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, ‘God bless it!'”
I’m with Fred. The coming of Christ was and is the great sign that all God’s children really do matter, and not just a certain few who sing out of the same hymnal. And yes, Jesus is indeed the “Reason for the Season,” but if we truly want to show respect for Christmas we’ll pay attention to its central message, and live it out.
As I think about Frank and Martha, and a few others, what I find I regret most is not being as fully present to them as I should have been, not listening enough, and not fully comprehending the wonderful gifts they were to me and to this world. We who survive the death of loved ones tend to feel this way, and in small doses I suppose it isn’t such a bad thing. We can always improve. For me, this year more than most, Christmas means doing a better job of being a true friend, and honoring Jesus’ reason for the season.
May God Bless You and Yours this Christmas.
—John Wagner
Advent 2012
When you arrive at church on the first Sunday in Advent you will notice some remarkable differences in our sanctuary! Our beautiful decorations have all been changed to focus on the color blue. Traditionally, purple has been the color of Advent and also of Lent. However, in recent years, the church has offered the alternative blue color for liturgical paraments and decorations. Since Advent is a season of preparation for Bethlehem and also the second coming of Christ it is characterized by the color blue symbolizing HOPE rather than purple, which during Lent reflects a more somber and repentant mood. The new window boxes were designed and created by Barb Hoffman and our new paraments and clergy stoles were design and created by Carolyn Callis. Other members of our Worship Committee who have given so much of their time to make the season special are Sally Jo Inwood, Dee Markle, Becky Douthett, and Patt Gibson. As you seek to prepare your hearts this Advent season, take time to appreciate the “mood of worship” that has been created for you by members of your faith community.
A Minute About Money
Our bank, First Financial Bank, is helping us to find ways to eliminate service charges on our checking account. We have been informed that the use of debit or credit cards for transactions on the account will achieve our goal of a free checking account. Some members currently use this process in their giving. It is my hope that if we can get at least 30 members to pay their offerings by using this method, we would meet the criteria to avoid any future fees. You may use this method for any payments to the church including altar flowers, poinsettias, donations to the Benevolent Fund, food pantry or breakfast club, as well as our special Sunday offerings and the Dornon’s Mission. Combining gifts into one check when possible would also aid in this endeavor, for example, instead of submitting separate checks on the same Sunday write one check for the total and mark your envelope accordingly with specific designations.
The 2013 offering kits will enable you to provide the card number and expiration date. You can then put your envelope in the offering plate just as you do now. If you prefer, you can contact Jaime or me and we can set up weekly, monthly, or quarterly automatic payment schedules. I can assure you that all information received is kept confidential and is not shared under any circumstances. If you have any questions, please feel free to see me at church or call the office.
—Debbie Taylor
SHALOM
December 2, 2012—March 23, 2013
Serving the Homeless with Alternate Lodging Of Middletown will be in session again this winter thanks to the faithful volunteers, churches and donations that support this program to keep those less fortunate off the street during the coldest weeks of the year. We will begin and end with a week at FUMC, so please see the sign up board in the North Foyer for opportunities to assist this week and throughout the season. This ministry is not possible without your time, talents and generosity. See John Tack if you have questions or would like to get more involved.
UMW Cookie Walk
Saturday, December 8 @ 10am-Noon
It’s just days away! The annual Cookie Walk will fill our Commons with delicious homemade holiday yummies. It’s a great time to pick up a wide variety of items for holiday entertaining. Also, get our famous brooms, microfiber cleaning cloths and more! See you there!
Winter-Wear Tree
We will have a Christmas tree in the Commons during Advent to collect items for the guests of SHALOM to stay warm this winter. Please find it in your heart—and on your shopping list—to pick up extra winter-wear to put on the tree. We’re collecting: Gloves, Hats & Socks for Men, Women & Children. Supplies will used throughout the entire SHALOM season. Thank you in advance!
“Trick or Christmas?” In Nepal
Update from the Dornons, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
We arrived back in Tansen between the two major Hindu festivals of the year. Dasai was in October, and Tihar is this week. Tihar (also known as the festival of lights) seems to us to be a cross between trick or treat and Christmas! Houses are decorated with Christmas-like lights, and families travel to be together, but kids go around from house to house singing songs and begging for treats! The shops in the bazaar are all selling bags of colored powders used in the “puja” (worship) that takes place during this festival, and you can also buy different kinds of nuts and raisins. This celebration lasts 5 days. The first four days are for worship of crows, dogs and cows, and also to give offerings to Laxmi, who is the goddess of wealth.
The last day is the main day and it is known as Bhai Tika. The women place a tika (blessing) on the heads of their younger brothers and pray for their prosperity and health. The Hospital is closed 2 days during this festival – and the outpatient departments are slow on the other days, as well. However, Les has been working in the maternity ward, and things haven’t slowed down there! Today there were 22 women (in the 15 bed ward) either just having delivered or in labor! Some things don’t stop even for major festivals!!
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: http://dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com/
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal. You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Ecumenical Review & Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 18th at Second Baptist Church! Choirs and congregations from FUMC, St. Paul’s UCC, and Bethlehem Lutheran joined Second Baptist in song and celebration of God’s blessings and the opportunity God has given us as neighbors to work together. We enjoyed each other’s music, sang together, prayed together and then enjoyed fellowship time with some wonderful pie! More than one recipe was exchanged, there was lots of laughter, and people lingered sharing stories and good company. The most often heard comments? “This was wonderful!” and “We must do this again!” Thanks to Rev. Wagner for his vision for this service and for planting the seed for more opportunities like this in the future.
MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES THIS SEASON
Sun, Dec 2 South Main Street Historic Tours include our church this year! Musicians will be playing in our sanctuary during the tour hours 3-8pm. Details: www.historicsouthmain.org
Fri, Dec. 7 12 noon First Friday Community Christmas Sing-A-Long and Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest. Win a gift certificate to Kohl’s if your Christmas sweater is the ugliest of all! Plus lots of fun singing carols with emcee Charlie Campbell!
Sun, Dec 16 & Mon. Dec. 17 Christmas Caroling is one of the most rewarding events of the season!! Everyone is invited to come and sing to members of our congregation who may have difficulty getting to church. It’s fun and fellowship and music and mission! Meet in the Commons at 2pm both days.
Fri. Dec. 21 Singing at The Woodlands (formerly Rittenhouse) Everyone is invited to join and sing. Meet in the lobby of The Woodlands (across from First Presbyterian on McGee) at 10:30am.
Mon. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Pre-service music begins at 7 and worship begins at 7:30 on this special night of nights!
GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL CHANGE A LIFE!
Make a contribution to our Music Scholarship fund in honor or in memory of a loved one. We will send a card notifying the recipient of your gift if you provide us with the address. These gifts will provide private music lessons to students in our congregation who are studying voice or an instrument. What a great way to support our youth and encourage them to offer their music as a gift to God. Giving forms are available in the pews. For more information, contact Mary Ellen.
First Friday Concert Series
DECEMBER 7 CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG
Charlie had so much fun he wanted to come back and do it again! More singing! More trivia! More jingle bells and silly hats! We’re adding an “Ugliest Christmas Sweater” contest this year, so make it an annual event and bring your friends as our community ushers in the Holiday Season together by singing and merry making. Someone pass the figgy pudding, please…
This concert series would not be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Barnitz Fund, the Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
COMMUNITY MINISTRIES CORNER
The Giving Tree 2012
Dear Congregation,
As we approach the busy season of two major holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, our hearts are filed with the warmth and love of family and friends. The wonder of the birth of Christ spills over as an outpouring of our generosity to unknown children—His lambs. This year we again commit to assisting needy children whose names are being carefully gathered. The anonymous gifts bring the wonder of Christian love into many homes. Please watch for the Giving Tree after Thanksgiving. Names will appear and call to you to share in the joy of giving. Take on—or two!! Wrapped gifts need to be returned to the church by Sunday, Dec 16.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Giving Tree Coordinator
Harvest of the Heart Thank You!
A big thank you to our wonderfule congregation for the overwhelming response this year to the Harvest of the Heart Food Drive. Because of your generosity we are able to stock the Pantry shelves as well as the Emergency Food shelves. As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
Comm. Council Members: Linda Snyder; Becky Douthett; Vickie Frazer; Ron McGuire; Barb Balsmeyer
Free Community Holiday Dinner
December 4th at 5:30pm
Everyone in the community is invited for ham, tater tots and all the fixin’s. We are distributing invitations to families of Rosa Parks Elementary, Highview Sixth Grade Center, and the local high-rises.
Donations of homemade cookies and ready to serve rolls are needed. If you are interested in assisting you may come and help for part or all of the day on Dec 4, 9:30am—7:30pm (soup lunch provided for all volunteers). Call or email Vickie Frazer if you are coming (513.424.8582/ MEFVCF@aol.com).
December Birthdays
1… Pat Lyke
3… David Irwin
7… Sue Day & Fred Sander
8… Mary Lou Bennett, Helen Hackney & Jared McDaniel
9… Robert Fultz
11… Esther Johnson
13… Don Stamper
14… Terry Hines
16… Marcia Greenham
17… Rev. John Wagner
18…Carrie White & Dorothy Youtsler
20… C.M. Jenkins & Kelli Wilson
22… Kathy Wright
23… Joyce Thompson
24… Tom Buchert
25…Rick Lyke, Miriam Melloh & Jesus
26… David Young
28… Dee Markle
29… Nita Driscoll
30…Brianne Archer, Duane Gordon, Belinda Hausman & Matthew Youtsler
31… Robert Boyd
If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, email “AMBASSADOR UNSUBSCRIBE” to office@myfumc.net.