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December 2018 First United Methodist Church of Salida

“Love, Live, Give As You Have Received”

4th & D Streets (P.O. Box 945)

Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-2755

Ministers: Everyone; Pastor: Melinda Roberts 719-539-2755 (O), 505-320-9107 (C);

Office Administrator: Licia Iverson; Accompanist: Rod Schleicher; Choir Director: Mary Sandell 970-217-0051

Co-Lay Leaders: Burrell & Sherry Welton: Burrell 719-660-1652, Sherry 480-298-3132;

C0-Church Council Chair: Elaine Adams 719-539-1237 and Eduardo Brummel 719-539-9332;

Treasurer: Randy Bergstrom 719-539-5305; Finance Secretary: Paul Wilson 719-221-1923

Pastor’s e-mail: pastor@salidaumc.org Church website: www.salidaumc.org Church e-mail: office@salidaumc.org

Pastor’s Ponderings

As a kid, Christmas was always the same routine. No matter where we were living, we always made the pilgrimage to visit grandparents in Scottsburg, IN. My maternal grandmother and grandfather as well as my paternal grandmother all lived in this little town. While the cast of other relatives that might also be in town changed from year to year there were a few things that never did.

The Sunday morning before Christmas we would worship at Zion Christian Church with my mom’s family. I always looked forward to this pre-Christmas service because they always had a paper bag with an apple, orange, peanuts and a full size candy bar ready for kids as an early Christmas present. I looked forward to that simple bag of goodies every year.

After church we would always head to my father’s childhood home for a lunch of Kentucky Fried Chicken, football games and a house full of cousins to play with. On Christmas day there would be presents to open at two houses and two Christmas dinners! None of those many Christmases stands out as any different than another until my freshman year in college. We had lost my grandfather the summer before to a heart attack. Something was very different that year beyond the fact that I was now deemed too old to receive the bag of goodies at church. We followed the same routine but without my grandfather quietly smoking a pipe in his chair while we

opened gifts. Christmas had changed. It changed again my first year in seminary. I had just finished my last final of the semester when we got word that my father had suffered a massive heart attack. Instead of a trip to Indiana we found ourselves in Kansas where my Dad had been working. We celebrated Christmas in the ICU following a quadruple bypass. As I ate my Christmas dinner from a local Jack in the Box, I knew Christmas had

changed again.

Six years later we found ourselves in Texas rather than Indiana following the loss of both of my grandmothers. Most recent had been the loss of my maternal grandmother a few days after Thanksgiving that year. We were emotionally exhausted

following her stroke, attempted rehab and then passing. My sister and brother in law were also dealing with infertility issues and the fact that there were still no babies to celebrate Christmas with, hung heavy in my parent’s home. There were no presents that year. We were just too emotionally spent. We gathered together as a family and ordered Chinese take-out for Christmas dinner. Once again, Christmas had changed.

However, as our family dynamics and traditions changed, I was always able to fall back on the fact that Christmas is about hope. No matter who was with us or who no longer was. Whether there was a big family meal or take out from whatever we could find open.

Pastor’s Ponderings continued on pg. 2…

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Pastor’s Ponderings continued from pg. 1…

Whether we spent all morning opening gifts, gifts were left under a tree while we were in a hospital room, or we were just too emotionally spent to go through the trouble to buy any gifts, the real gift was hope. Christmas was still Christmas because of the hope of EMMANUEL, God with us. God with us in joyful times, anxious times, exhausted times, depressed times. That is the hope of Christmas.

Hope and time changes things and a few years after losing both of my grandmothers, we celebrated Christmas with my sister and brother in law’s baby boy; then a few years later their baby girl. And finally, four years ago, Kasey spent his first Christmas with us and Christmas changed again.

Whatever Christmas change you are experiencing this year, may you know that EMMANUEL is with you. May you feel that hope amid whatever emotion you are experiencing this Christmas.

I would also like to invite you no matter what your Christmas looks like this year, to join us on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30 pm for, A Time to Reflect: A Contemplative Service and/or our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 pm.

Be the church, Mel

Melinda Roberts, Pastor pastor@salidaumc.org; (505) 320-9107

Sharing Our Prayers, Praise, Needs & Celebrations

Please continue to hold these prayer requests deep within your hearts. We will keep you posted, as we know more:

Jim Rees – Jim & Barbara send you this update: “Jim continues to improve in the Rehab Hospital in Denver. Looks like discharge on Dec. 10th and we will return to Salida to continue rehab. Gratitude to all our "angels" who have prayed and sent warm wishes of cards. You are our family in Christ.”

Patsy Madzey (Wayne Iverson’s cousin) continues to recover from one cancer related surgery and prepares for another in early December. Additional prayers requested for Patsy’s husband, Brian, as he prepares for hip replacement surgery in mid-December.

Judy Naviaux continues to heal from her knee surgery. During this time of recovery, Judy has also needed medical

attention for phlebitis in both legs. Attending to these needs has interrupted her knee rehab a bit. Judy will be having a series of procedures on the veins in both of her legs over the coming months. Judy appreciates all your prayers, calls, cards & visits.

Please send your prayer requests, updates, celebrations and announcements to Licia at: office@salidaumc.org

֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎ Ever wondered how you might be of service to the church? Please consider being on the volunteer rotations for one of these three areas of service!

For more information, please contact the following coordinators:

Ushers Ginny Cunningham (719) 539-5243 Liturgists Karen Yerkey (719) 539-3427 Fellowship Barbara Zechman (719) 285-4251

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS December Ushers - Coordinator: Ginny Cunningham December 2 Burrell & Sherry Welton December 9 Jim & Gayle Greene December 16 Jerry & Phyllis Massee December 23 Jerry & Ginny Cunningham December 24 (to be determined) December 30 Mary Lou McCausey & Jody West

December Liturgists - Coordinator: Karen Yerkey December 2 Karen Yerkey December 9 Carol Mumma December 16 Phyllis Massee December 23 David Hearn December 24 (to be determined) December 30 Judy Naviaux

December Fellowship Hosts – Coordinator: Barb Zechman December 2 Licia Iverson December 9 Available December 16 Available December 23 Available December 30 Available

Faith Book Club

The Faith book club will meet Tuesday, December 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Catherine Hayden. 539-8561

The book: The Same Sky, a novel, by Amanda Eyre Ward. Everyone is invited to join us.

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DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS

Birthdays Dec. 1 Julie Moss

Dec. 1 Judy (Julia) Litz

Dec. 2 Larry Williams

Dec. 6 Susie Brown

Dec. 8 Julia Hanks

Dec. 8 Gayla Dunning

Dec. 11 Cynthia Hearn

Dec. 13 Gloria Mattix

Dec. 14 Ed Brummel

Dec. 14 Janice Montgomery

Dec. 27 Janet Murphy

Dec. 30 Meryl Ann Giles

Dec. 31 Vickie Morgan

Anniversaries Dec. 8 Gayle & Jim Greene

Dec. 18 Julia & John Hanks

Dec. 28 Jeannie & Rob Coe

Request from Licia: Please be sure to let the office know about the dates of the birthdays and anniversaries

in your family! We love to celebrate such joys!

Remember …to purchase your

Safeway cards or at the Church office or from Barb Williams.

As we approach this time of the year, when many of us are planning delicious meals for family and

friends, please consider using our Safeway gift cards for your purchases at Safeway.

You can also use Safeway cards to purchase other gift cards for Christmas gifts. Your Safeway card can also be used at the Safeway pharmacy.

You may purchase a reloadable gift card for $10 and it has $10 available on it. Then just have the cashier (before scanning your items) add your desired amount to the gift card and you’re ready to go! You can also do this at the Customer Service desk before shopping! We also have gift cards in denominations of $50 or $100.

Our church receives 5% of your purchases. This is a very convenient fundraiser for our church and your participation is greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please see Barb Williams or you may inquire in the office.

Your gift cards are waiting for you….

2019 Our 2019 Financial Pledge Commitment Cards are currently available for your prayerful consideration. Thank you for your support! This year’s Commitment Sunday was held on Sunday, November 18th. Thank you to those who were in attendance and participated in the Commitment Liturgy.

If you were unable to attend on Commitment Sunday, you may mail your pledge commitment card to Salida United Methodist Church, PO Box 945, Salida, CO; Attention: Finance Secretary. Additional letters and cards are also available in our church office and on the information table in Century Hall.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration regarding your financial support of our church for this next year. It is through your generosity, that we are able to do God’s work through this beautiful community of faith.

Please know that your pledge information is held in strict confidence. If you have any questions, please speak with our Finance Secretary: Paul Wilson. You may reach him via email at: pwilson54@aol.com or call on his cell: (719) 221-1923.

Saturday, Dec. 8th 9:00AM

Volunteers needed to help

decorate the church for the season!

Hope you can join us!

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TRINITY

VIEWS

Operation Spirit

From

The Heart of the Rockies Salida Troops Donations

We will not collect donations in December. Collection will resume in January 2018. Thank You!

We appreciated all your donations for the troops and we were able to send double packaging for Thanksgiving and Christmas on the 13th of November. All of the volunteers were excited and pleased to send so many goodies to the men and women serving our country. Just know they will be so happy receiving these gifts as it will bring a little bit of home this season.

Our blessings to all, Ginny Biglow, Ginny Cunningham, Linda Hayden, Barb Zechman and many other volunteers from the First Lutheran Church & the Salida United Methodist Church.

Faith Fudge Fundraiser!

Our Faith Fudge Fundraiser is well underway and thank-you to everyone who helped to put all

the kits together and who have been helping to make the fudge. More fudge kits are available in Century Hall. Here are a couple of additional ways you can still help with this fundraiser.

Sign-Up for Sales Shifts here at Salida UMC – The sign-up sheet is out for the 2 hour sales shifts in Century Hall. We are running an ad in the paper and spreading the word. This year’s sales are happening at the church on Tuesdays, 10:00-4:00 and on Wednesdays, 1:00-5:00pm. We will sell fudge, while supplies last.

Purchase Fudge! Of course, we welcome your purchases of fudge for your own gift giving! Please help spread the word and let others know it is available.

This annual deliciousness has been a favorite treat for so many years, to many in the Salida community and the faith community of our church. This fudge, with or without nuts, make for great gifts at $6 per half pound of fudge. Thank you for supporting this delicious fundraiser for the church!

Get Your Fudge TODAY!

A Message from our

District Superintendent, Margaret Gillikin

Dear Friends,

As we begin our Advent journey this year, I invite you to reflect with me on the GIFTS of our lives. Genesis 1 tells us that God’s response to Creation was to proclaim it GOOD! Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us so intimately, that our words are known before we utter them. It further sings of how God so longs to be our constant companion, that there is no place we can hide from the Divine presence. Would the Creator of the Universe seek us out so faithfully if God did not see each of us as a GIFT? I think not! John Duns Scotus encourages us to hear the beginning of the Gospel of John, “the Word became flesh and lived among us” as evidence of how much God loves us. Franciscan teaching understands that Jesus came to humanity through the incarnation in order to convince human beings of God’s love and enduring faithfulness. Jesus came to show us our belovedness… to show us that who we are, to the very core of our beings, is a GIFT to God, ourselves and others! In this time when the secular world around us focuses on material gift giving, I believe we would do well to spend Advent in contemplation regarding the GIFTS that God has already given us in our lives… the GIFT of who we are we share with others… and the GIFTS we receive from others through the sharing of their lives. Every moment, every interaction, could potentially become a GIFT depending on how we receive and reflect upon it. For instance, that circumstance that irritates you… never failing to raise your blood pressure and your voice… it could become a GIFT for you. How? Just noticing, “Whoa. Here I go again!” and then wondering, “Does this HAVE to affect me this way?” is a pathway for growth and development, leading you toward greater emotional and spiritual maturity. The truth is, we don’t have to be at the mercy of our triggers. We can self-regulate with practice. Over time, that irritating circumstance can be something that happens and you are able to hold your tongue. GIFT! Eventually, you might see what’s happening and not be bothered by it. GIFT! Ultimately, you would no longer even notice what used to be a “pet peeve”. If, in this way, even

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Trinity Views continued from pg. 4…

our irritations have the potential to become GIFTS to us, how much more might the sweetness of life be a genuine blessing to us once we take the time to notice and savor them?

Beloved, I encourage you to seek and receive GIFTS of love from God, your neighbors, the world around you and within yourself. Discern the opportunities for growth and development and receive them as GIFT. Celebrate the evidence of growing faith and maturity as a GIFT. See how you GIFT others and they GIFT you. Revel in these blessings and share!

Wishing You a Blessed Advent from your District Superintendent,

Meet us at the church on

Sunday, Dec. 16 t h at 1:45pm,

as we go caroling at 2:00pm to a few

specific locations and to visit some of

our members at their homes.

Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in

Century Hall, so we will

know how many to plan for.

Song sheets will be provided.

After Caroling, a ll are invited back to Mary &

Scott Sandell’s home for a Chil i Supper and

Desserts. Let Mary know if you would l ike to

bring something to share such as a dessert ,

cornbread or drinks.

The Sandells will provide the chil i!

Here are all the events happening through our church for the 2018 Christmas season.

(More details to come throughout the month…)

Deck the Halls – Help Decorate the Church, Saturday December 8th at 9:00am. Come help us decorate the church as we put up the tree and prepare for the season while having fun!

Caroling, Sunday December 16th, 2:00pm. Please sign up on the Caroling sheet in Century Hall. We will meet at the church about 1:45pm and head out at 2:00pm. We’ll carpool to go out to spread Christmas cheer by singing loudly for all to hear! We plan to go to the hospital, nursing home, and other locations. Let Melinda know if you have additional ideas. Following caroling we’ll gather at the home of Scott & Mary Sandell for a chili supper and desserts. If you’d like to bring a dessert, cornbread or beverage contact, Mary at (970) 217-0051.

A Time to Reflect: A Contemplative Service, Wednesday, December 19th, 6:30pm. Join us on this night for the opportunity to be together as we share a centered and quiet experience of God’s Grace. The holiday season can be a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. While there's plenty of joy to go around, there can also be plenty of grief, loneliness, and anxiety. You're invited to come to this special worship service where we will name, acknowledge, and hold in the light of Christ all the emotions that we have with us. We will conclude the evening with light refreshments in Century Hall .

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, Monday, December 24th, 6:00pm. Come and experience the joy of Christmas with a service of scripture readings and carols that tell of the eternal hope that enters into the world with Jesus. This is always a beautiful and powerful evening as we come together and experience the illuminating presence of what a single Light can do in the world. We will take up a special offering that will be used to support the ministries of the church and that of another local non-profit outreach, yet to be determined (at the time of this newsletter writing).

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Come One…Come All Plan to join us on

Monday, Dec. 24 t h at 6:00pm

for our Christmas Eve Candlel ight Service

Order Your Memorial

Poinsettias Today!

We are currently taking orders for poinsettias “In Honor Of” or “In

Memory Of” to beautify our sanctuary during this Holy Season!

Order forms are available in Century Hall or in the office.

$15.00/each plant

Orders are due by: Wednesday, December 12 th!

Any Questions…Please see Licia in the office for more information

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please consider becoming a volunteer for

OUR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Each Sunday, during the worship service, children in attendance have the opportunity to come up to the front of the sanctuary for the Message for Young People.

Following this special time, all children are invited to leave the sanctuary with our Sunday School teachers & volunteers, to go to the children’s classroom. Parents may pick them up there after worship. On Communion Sundays, the children, teachers and volunteers will return to the sanctuary to participate in Communion with their families.

We welcome new volunteers who would like to help with the Children’s Program. It is our policy to always have two volunteers with the children at all times. Age appropriate activities are provided each week. Children benefit from the small group and large group activities which include: exploring life lessons and virtues through Bible Stories, creative art projects, playing with manipulatives (floor or table games), and experiencing the joy of music!

Come play, have fun, be inspired and help demonstrate to the children what living a life in faith can be about.

You will be blessed and will be a blessing!

If you are interested and/or need more information about the Children’s Program please speak with Pastor Melinda, Licia Iverson or Ginny Biglow. Thank You!!

Plan to attend the Community Christmas Dinner

on Christmas Day at the Salida Community Center

305 F Street Salida 11:00am-2:00pm

For more information call:

719-539-3351

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Mental Health First Aid—Thursday, December 6th and Friday December 7th, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day, at 1st Presbyterian Church in Salida. You are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Learn how to help a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. MHFA training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and addiction. Register by November 30th by contacting Danielle at 539-6502, or danielles@solvistahealth.org. Sponsored by the 1st Presbyterian Church in collaboration with Solvista Health and Chaffee County Public Health. Questions? Please call Mike Orrill at 221-5418.

The Noteables and You’ve Got Male will present their winter concert series, “Stars On Snow” December 7-9. Under the direction of Linda Taylor, the women’s and men’s choruses will perform a wide variety of holiday music, including unusual arrangements of familiar carols, winter ballads, songs of peace and hope and sacred selections.

The Noteables will welcome in the Christmas season with "A Winter Noel”. Other songs include a Celtic version of “People Look East”, the playful “Candy Covered Gingerbread House” and “Stars On Snow”, describing a shimmering winter night. You’ve Got Male will continue with “Do You Know the Way To Bethlehem?”, a jazzy version of “We Three Kings” and

a hilarious arrangement of Jingle Bells set to the melodies from the “Nutcracker Suite”.

The two choruses will join together to sing seven songs, including the foot tapping “Sing, Mary, Sing”, followed by a partner song combining “Children Go Where I Send Thee” with the familiar “Go Tell It On the Mountain”, the jubilant “Gloria” and “The Yearning” which announces the coming of Emmanuel. The choruses will invite the audience to sing along with "Joyful and Triumphant”, a medley of favorite Christmas carols.

Drummer and percussionist, Oso Blanco, will accompany the choruses. Guest quartet, Naked Voices, will perform “Candlelight Carol” and “Deck the Halls”.

Performances are scheduled as follows:

Friday, December 7, 7:30PM Clearview Community Church, 457 Rodeo Road, Buena Vista, CO Saturday, December 8, 7:30PM Grace Church, 1320 D Street, Salida, CO Sunday, December 9, 3:00PM SteamPlant Event Center, Salida , CO

Suggested donation is $10 to help pay for the cost of music, publicity and the groups’ scholarship fund. For more information, call Linda Taylor at 539-2428 or visit salidasings.org.

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Important Dates to Remember

Mon. Dec. 3 – Budget Meeting at 2:00pm

Tues. Dec. 4 – Finance Meeting at 3:00pm

Sat. Dec. 8 – Help decorate the Church at 9:00am

Wed. Dec. 12 – Poinsettia Orders Due

Sun. Dec. 16 – Christmas Caroling at 1:45pm, followed by Chili Dinner & Desserts at The Sandells.

Wed. Dec. 19 – A Time to Reflect: A Contemplative Service at 6:30pm; Light Refreshments to Follow

Mon. Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00pm

Tues. Dec. 25 – Merry Christmas – Church will be closed.

A Message to all Committee Chairs…

Please have your 2018 Annual Report turned in to Licia or Melinda by January 9, 2019, so that we can compile our 2018 information to be shared when we schedule our Church Celebration in the New Year. We will take a look at the gifts and opportunities provided in 2018 and we will prepare the way to receive the gifts and opportunities of 2019. Any questions? Please see Mel or Licia.

(Mark your calendars NOW!)

Ongoing Weekly Scheduled Items Include:

Sundays: Choir Practice 9:15am

Worship 10:30am

Tuesdays: Fudge Sales 10:00am-4:00pm, Century Hall

Wednesdays: Women’s Bible Study, 9:30am, Century Hall

Heaven at 11:00am – Contemplative Prayer Gp.

Fudge Sales 1:00-4:00pm, Century Hall

Thursdays: Church is closed for cleaning, 12:00-2:00pm

Salida Brass Rehearsal, 6:30pm, Choir Room

Fridays: Church Office is Closed

Sun, Dec. 2 Worship with Communion

Mon, Dec. 3 Budget Mtg, 2:00pm, Century Hall

Tues, Dec 4 Finance Mtg, 3:00pm, Century Hall

Thurs, Dec. 6 League of Women Voters, 2:00-5:00pm, CH

Fri, Dec. 7 Noteables/You’ve Got Male Concert, 7:30pm

Clearview Comm. Church, BV

Sat, Dec. 8 Noteables/You’ve Got Male Concert, 7:30pm

Grace Church, Salida

Sun, Dec. 9 Noteables/You’ve Got Male Concert, 2:30pm

SteamPlant Event Center, Salida

Mon, Dec. 10 League of Women Voters, 11:00am-1:00pm, CH

Tues, Dec. 11 Faith Book Club, 10:00am,

Home of Catherine Hayden, 539-8561

Wed, Dec. 12 Memorial Poinsettia Orders Due – See Licia

Sun, Dec. 16 Caroling, 1:45pm followed by a Chili & Dessert

Dinner at Mary & Scott Sandell’s Home.

Mon, Dec. 17 Monitor Articles Due

Tues, Dec. 18 NAMI Support Gp, 5:30pm, Parlor

Tues, Dec. 18 NAMI Connections Gp, 5:30pm, Century Hall

Wed, Dec. 19 A Time to Reflect: A Contemplative Service,

6:30pm, Light Refreshments to follow.

Mon, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6:00pm.

Tues, Dec. 25 Merry Christmas! Church will be closed.

Thurs. – Sun, Dec. 27-30 Baton Rouge UMC Youth Group,

Overnight, Basement

Sun, Dec. 30 5th Sunday Giving

Tues, Jan. 1, 2019 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!