The Wellspring December 2015Fuquay-Varina

United Methodist Church

December Worship Highlights

Sunday, December 6 8:00 & 11:00 Worship Featuring Instruments of Praise Gathering music begins 10 minutes prior

Sunday, December 13 8:00 Lessons & Carols 9:30 & 11:00 Worship “Believe in Christmas” Cantata

Tuesday, December 22 7pm Blue Christmas Service (in the Chapel) Sponsored by GriefShare

Sunday, December 20 8:00 & 11:00 Worship Featuring our FVUMC Handbell Choirs

Sunday, December 27 - Note Change in Times! 8:00 Early Worship & Communion 10:00 Generations Worship with Christmas Hymn Favorites

3:30pm - Children’s Nativity Worship Music from Kids NPraise, a Spontaneous Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion

5:30pm - Contemporary Worship Music led by the FVUMC Praise Team, Holy Communion, and Candlelight Free childcare available

6:30-7:30pm - Sounds of the Season Music at the fountain by Souly Brass

7:30pm - Traditional Worship Music led by the FVUMC Choirs and Bell Ensemble, Holy Communion, & Candlelight

11:00pm - Traditional Worship Including Holy Communion & Candlelight

You and your family are invited to serve this Advent and Christmas season. There are many ways to help and get involved. Visit fvumc.org/serve-at-christmas to volunteer!

December 24 Christmas Eve

Fair Trade Store Impact ReportBecause of your purchases at our Fair Trade Store, young adults in India were rescued from the slums and given a job and an education; men and women in Kenya were provided with literacy programs; and deaf women in Bangladesh were given a job with dignity.

Thousands of men, women, and children in Fair Trade programs were blessed through your support of the FVUMC Fair Trade Store. A total of $9,000 was purchased and benefited artisans from 76 countries.

Did you know that all profits FVUMC receives from the store ($900 this fall) are donated to Heifer International? Details about the Fair Trade and Heifer International projects are included below:

Fair Trade Projects:• $240 for a project in Ghana that provides a fair

wage job, life skill training, and a home for 12 homeless mothers and their children.

• $670 supported 10 women in Uganda, providing them with a fair wage job, access to clean water, monthly health insurance, and school fees for their children.

• $320 benefited a women’s cooperative in Guatemala, providing a fair wage job in their village, meaning that they don’t have to leave their families and travel a dangerous road to Guatemala City for work.

• $870 directly helped artisans living in Nepal rebuild homes after a devastating earthquake.

• $750 supported women in Colorado who were previously struggling with extreme poverty and homelessness. This amount of money not only pays the women a livable wage, but also covers the expense of 3 months of life skills training, including parenting classes and financial planning.

• $890 aided survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia. These funds pay the women a living wage, provide them with safe shelter, and cover the expense for one year of counseling.

• $200 supported a project building clean water wells in Haiti

Heifer International Projects:• $150 of our gift allowed Heifer to purchase three bio-gas stoves for their project families. For most families in the places where Heifer International works, cooking is done by gathering firewood, which

is all too scarce. A bio-gas stove runs off methane gas captured from

animal waste and burns cleanly, reliably and efficiently. This is not only better for

the environment, it is more sustainable and healthier for families feeding their children.

• $300 of our gift helps a Rwandan family manage their dairy cattle assets in ways that generate consistently better nutrition at home. Farmers will also be able to secure a livable income through a competitive local dairy enterprise.

• $150 provides farmers with enough water to sustain their crops by installing treadle pumps. It will also give them training in water conservation and irrigation techniques.

• $90 provides three Guatemalan families with honey bees, hives, and boxes to build a thriving honey business.

• $150 buys an alpaca for a family in Nepal and in so doing will provide wool and generate income to put food on the table for their children. Giving an animal is like giving someone a small business, providing wool, milk, eggs and more. Animal donations through Heifer can provide families a hand up, increasing access to medicine, school, food and a sustainable livelihood:

• $60 provides a trio of rabbits for a family in Southern Ghana.

Thank you FVUMC for supporting Fair Trade and in so doing, transforming the lives of families and children around the world including: Guatemala, Haiti, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Peru, India, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, El Salvador, Nepal, China, Ecuador, Uganda, Cambodia, Kenya, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Mexico, United States, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Bolivia, and Ethiopia.

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Holy Conversation: Immigration Saturday, December 12 at 7pmAs a denomination, The United Methodist Church has adopted a series of statements, called the Social Principles, addressing issues in the contemporary world from a biblical and theological foundation. What do the Social Principles say about Immigration?

We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all. – From the Social Principles: The Social Community

This principle is based on Leviticus 19:33-34, “When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

The FVUMC Peace with Justice team invites you explore the topic of immigration by attending December’s Holy Conversation. We will be viewing “The Stranger” on December 12 at 7:00pm in Room 117. This documentary seeks to mobilize Christians to respond to immigrants and immigrant policies in ways that are consistent with biblical principles. Free childcare will be provided for families who request it no later than December 9 online at fvumc.org/childcare-request. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Gantt at lisagantt6900@gmail.com.

Blue Christmas ServiceTuesday, December 22 7:00pm in the Chapel

The Christmas season is filled with joy, laughter, parties and the expectation of children receiving gifts on Christmas morning. For many of us, however, Christmas is not filled with laughter and joy. Rather some of the days of this season are filled with loneliness, painful memories, sadness and grief.

Our Blue Christmas service is a time to join together in acknowledging the bitter sweetness of the Christmas season. This service gives us the opportunity to share and support one another in the range of feelings that come with Christmas.

If you find yourself alone through grief, away from family, friends or other losses that cause this season to be more blue than merry, then join us as we share one another’s sadness for a time. It is good to be with those who know how you feel, too.

Luminary Kits Available 12/13Boy Scout Troop 320 is selling holiday luminary kits to brighten your sidewalks and driveway this Christmas Eve.

Kits will be for sale the morning of Sunday, December 13 or by contacting the Luminary Coordinator at candles@orangecrush.org.

Replace Boy Scouts’ VansFor safety reasons, the Boy Scouts of America has banned any 15-passenger van older than 2005. The Troop needs to replace two vans.

If you have information about replacements or would like to make a donation, contact Chris Kempin at 919-740-1396 or troop320.committee@gmail.com or Tim Brady at 919-345-7019 or tbrady98@gmail.com. 3

Believe in ChristmasThe angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you —

wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10 - 11

“Believe in Christmas” is the name of our message series for the Advent and Christmas season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the son of God, Jesus the Christ.

As we take a deep breath from the incredible acts of evil we hear on the news, our hearts and prayers go out to all of those who have suffered from the senseless killings. We also pray for those who are misplaced from their homes and have lost loved ones because they too are victims of these ruthless attacks that lack any form of human decency.

This is a time for deep prayer and soul searching as it relates to our response as Christians living in today’s culture. What is our witness as Christ followers?

I can think of no better time than for us as followers of Jesus Christ to flock to our churches and invite our unchurched friends during this Advent season. The Church has an answer to the darkness in the world, and His name is Jesus Christ, King of King and Lord of Lords. It is in this season we celebrate not only the birth of the Savior of the world 2,000 years ago but it is a season to remind the world of Jesus Christ return to the earth in final victory. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth who were going through perilous times.

Death has been swallowed up by a victory. Where is your victory, Death? Where is your sting, Death? Death’s sting is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. Thanks be to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 55 - 57

Beloved, death and evil will be defeated and Jesus Christ will reign forever!

Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” The season proclaims the three

comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually

in our lives through the Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays beginning November 29 – December 20.

“Believe in Christmas” calls us as followers of Christ to live into our faith as people of grace and peace, bearing witness to the birth and hope of Jesus Christ. As Christ-followers, we need to fill our churches as we sing the songs of faith, hear the scripture read and the Gospel proclaimed. We need to go out in our world and bear witness to our soon coming King. The song writer wrote:

Come thou long-expected JesusBorn to set thy people freeFrom our fears and sins release usLet us find our rest in theeIsrael’s strength and consolationHope of all the earth thou artDear desire of every nationJoy of every longing heart

Make it a top priority for you and your family not to miss one Sunday of worship during this season of Advent and Christmas. Be sure to attend the different activities and events throughout the season especially on Christmas Eve as we gather for four Christmas Eve services—3:30; 5:30; 7:30 and 11:00.

May God richly bless you and your family as we come and worship Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Believe in Christmas! Pastor Gene Tyson gtyson@fvumc.org

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PoinsettiasYou are invited to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, friend, Sunday school teacher, Life Group leader, etc. They will decorate the Centrum during Advent and may be picked up following the 11pm service on Christmas Eve. Cost is $12 each and proceeds support the Children’s Ministry. Make checks payable to FVUMC and note “poinsettias” on the memo line. Please print the name(s) on the form below and place it in the offering plate or return to the office by December 14 in order to have your information included in the bulletin on December 22.

Your Name: _________________________________

Email: _____________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Donation Amount: ___________________________

In Honor of: ________________________________

In Memory ________________________________

Christmas Eve OfferingYour gifts to the 2015 FVUMC Christmas offering are going to support Imagine No Malaria, a global effort between The United Methodist Church and our partners seeking to bring an end to death and suffering from malaria.

The NC Conference is almost to the goal of raising $1 million for the project, and our mission team is matching dollar-for-dollar our Christmas offering up to $2,500 for our part in this outreach. For more information go to imaginenomalaria.org.

Operation Share: A Living FVUMC TraditionYears ago, a student in our youth ministry felt called to reach out to families who had not been served by other ministries or outreaches in the community. From that desire to provide presents to children who may not otherwise get gifts on Christmas, Operation Share was born.

Today, Operation Share is an active part of our youth outreach, providing gifts for children 5th grade and younger. Families remain anonymous, receiving an invitation from school guidance counselors who identify the children to be served. The day of the Christmas Store, we welcome the parents and serve as personal shoppers to help them pick out gifts for their children.

Donations of unwrapped toys, games, and books by the entire church make this mission a success, as the number of toys each child receives is based on our total number of donations. Thanks to this living tradition, we are able to show Christ’s

love! Donations of unwrapped toys and books for Operation Share can be brought to the church through Friday, December 11 at 6pm to give our students time to organize the store. For more information or questions, contact Bobby Rackley at brackley@fvumc.org.

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And Mary Stayed with Elizabeth

And Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned

to her home. Luke 1:56

As Pastor of Welcoming Ministries at FVUMC, I’m always on the lookout for lessons we can learn about hospitality from the scriptures. The practice of hospitality is a repeated theme in the Bible!

During the season of Advent, we find an example of gracious hospitality at a home located in the hill country of Judah. It is the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias.

Are you are familiar with the story of this aging couple? After many years of praying, the two remained childless. While Zacharias was in the temple performing his duty, an angel of the Lord showed up and announced that God had heard Zacharias’ and Elizabeth’s prayers and was about to change their circumstances. Elizabeth would be having a child after all! It was a miracle! Dumbfounded, Zacharias just couldn’t believe it, and as a result, was unable to speak until after Elizabeth had given birth!

During this season of expectancy for Elizabeth, a visitor arrived at their home. The visitor is none other than her relative, Mary! Mary, too, had experienced a visitation from the angel announcing that she had been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus.

As Mary approached Elizabeth’s home and called out her greeting, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit!

The two women found great joy in the miracles that were taking place in their lives. Their shared experiences drew them together. The passage tells us that Mary remained a guest in the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias for about three months, possibly meaning she stayed until Elizabeth had given birth to John.

Elizabeth and Zacharias were overjoyed at welcoming Mary into their home for those three months.

Christ-Monograms:

The Chrismon Tree

Chrismons are a type of Christmas tree decoration used in many churches and often in the homes of Christians.

Chrismons: CHRISt + MONogram are tree ornaments that proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of symbols. The symbols used represent a variety of biblical and theological concepts. The evergreen tree symbolizes the eternal life which our Savior has won for us and forms the background for the white and gold Chrismons. White is the liturgical color for Christmas, and suggests the innocence, purity, and perfection of our Savior. It is the color of joy and light. Gold is a symbol for the glory and majesty of God and the Son of God.

The Chrismon tree in Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church was started at the First Methodist Church on Main Street. Mrs. Margaret Lane saw a decorated Chrismon tree in Danville, Virginia at the Lutheran church where Chrismons were first developed. Margaret suggested that the United Methodist Women take on the project of making the Chrismons for the entire Christian year series based on Christ’s life. Some of the original ornaments are still in use today. Our tree is given by the Seeds of Faith Preschool to the children of the church.

Some of the symbols include:

Alpha & OmegaJesus is the

beginning and the end of all things

IcthusThe fish is one of

the oldest Christian symbols for followers

of Christ

TriquetraTrinity of God, Jesus, and the

Holy Spirit

Chi-RoFirst two letters

of the Greek word ‘Christos’

Jerusalem CrossSymbolizes the four

Gospels and spreading the Gospel to the four

corners of the earth

Triumphant CrossJesus is triumphant

over anything we face in this world

Continued on page 96

What If Jesus, the Son of God, Moved in Next Door?“And the Word became flesh and lived among us,

and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

What? Another article on the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes born in a manger? True, Jesus coming into the world needs little mention during Advent, or does it? During Advent and Christmas, we think of the world which Jesus came into, born in a out-of-sight location to an under-resourced family. Well-rehearsed stories sometimes pass us by as we do our best to survive the holidays.

Over Advent, we will talk about those who visited the Son of God, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, and others. One story often skipped over is about the world Jesus left behind when he came to earth.

One of the most striking things about the incarnation is that Jesus came at all. Before coming to earth, Jesus dwelt in perfect community. Jesus continued that perfect communion with the Father and the Spirit whilst living on earth, but he chose to live with us, the imperfect, the flawed, the ones who said, “crucify him!”

The divine became flesh and made a home with creatures, with strangers. That Jesus left his

heavenly home to make a home on earth leaves one in bewilderment. Imagine if Jesus, the Son of God, moved into your neighborhood!

What that action means for the world is nearly inexhaustible, but one thing it tells us about is God’s openness. Openness to the stranger characterizes the Trinity, the first small group.

God could have stayed in a closed community. God could have left the world to spin out of control in its sin and continued to dwell where it is safe, controlled, and perfect. Rather, God began on a mission for us and to us and with us the moment humanity chose to close God out of communion. God’s mission took on flesh and moved into the neighborhood. We celebrate that every year as we journey through Advent toward Christmas, toward the remembrance of the babe born in a manger.

Openness marks our Group Life here at FVUMC and our Growth Groups in particular. When Growth Groups begin a new semester (as they will in February), the registration time allows for one

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

We offer our sympathy and prayers to:Robert Kinton on the death of his sister

Rolf Wuerfele, Coy Jones, Gus Prince, Christy Carver, Mike Smith, Maxine Senter, Bob Tebo, Susan Buker, Betty Palmer, Julie Banner, Glenna Eargle, Bruce Wynne, Vikki Casanave, Susan Greer, Carole Drake, Larry Rose, Anderson Ward, Doug Bennett, Joy Sarles, Mike Tucker, Joan Lesher, Nancy Patrone, Jim Cleary, Bob Pavone, Ron Richardson, Bob Sheets, PJ Ramsey, Bernard McLeod, Dan Sass, Mary-Anne Hatch, Koyla Knox, Judy Dolan, Cornelia Coble, Vicky Croft, Tom Myatt, Carol Chambers, Lois & David Stuart, Jakob Kish, Mario Marchese, Rob Matney, Iris Brown, Logan Thomas, Dee Chisenhall, Jeff Fox, Emily Ashworth, Craig Judd, Clay King, Jill Zatyko, Sue Simkiss, Bill Young, Bob & Katharine Kinton, Howard Hanmann, Fran Applegarth

Interested in Receiving Family Advent Emails?Our Family Advent Calendar is back by popular demand! Take advantage of this resource to help you and your families anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth by focusing on the true meaning of the season.

The Family Advent Calendar is available by email (contact Amanda Rackley if you are not on the Children’s Ministry email list and you would like to be) and on the Quay Kids Facebook page each day in December. Don’t miss the opportunity to count down the days to Christmas by participating in meaningful activities that will help your families grow in faith together!

Amanda Rackley arackley@fvumc.org Director of Children & Family Ministries

Continued on page 11 7

Seeds of Faith PreschoolOur time of giving in upon us. We collected 347 books to give to other children and put together 30 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Our children enjoyed a special Thanksgiving snack and learned about being thankful for what we have. Now onto the Christmas season where we will celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Peace and love, Ms. Lynne

Circle of Faith MeetingsCircle of Faith meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. All women are encouraged to attend! This is a community of women whose purpose is to know God, to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Tuesday, January 5 ~ 10:00am Room 117 Tuesday, February 2 ~ 10:00am Room 117

DivorceCare for Kids Leaders NeededDivorceCare for Kids provides children with a safe and neutral place to gain an age-appropriate understanding of separation and divorce. For 13 weeks, children become involved in a caring group that meets simultaneously with the adult DivorceCare sessions. DC4K is designed for kids 5–12 years of age.

Currently, FVUMC offers DivorceCare on a 13-week cycle throughout the year and is looking at starting a DC4K program in 2016. Our hope is to offer 2 sessions of DC4K – one session beginning in March and one session in the fall (date TBD). We are looking for interested leaders and volunteers. We will provide all training and materials for those interested in serving. Please contact Amanda Rackley (arackley@fvumc.org).

Fall Projects Brought Strong Support for

Missions & MinistriesThis fall, several projects raised funds supporting a variety of missions and

ministries. We celebrate the dedication, time, and support of all who participated.

Pumpkin Patch Total funds raised - $7,300

Fall Festival Bake Sale Total funds raised - $409

Quilting in Faith Total funds raised - $4,107

Fair Trade Store - See Report on Page 2

• Boy Scout Troop 320 - $312.50• Caring Connections - $ 70• Clothing Closet - $115• Columbarium - $375• Congregations For Children - $250• Covenant Community Garden - $25• Cub Scout Pack 320 - $625• Girl Scouts (3 Troops) - $482• F-V Food Pantry - $350• Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network - $455• F-V Main Street Kitchen - $680• F-V Thanksgiving Meal - $150• Faith Promise (Missions) - $50• Kids for Christ (KFC) - $100• Methodist Home for Children - $509• Military Missions in Action - $84• Music Ministry - $100• Quilting in Faith - $1,564.40• Seeds of Faith Preschool - $3,773• SWFCA / FACES - $85• United Methodist Women - $37.50• Windsor Point Outreach - $200• Youth Mission Fund - $1,234• ZOE Ministry - $190

Fuquay-Varina Food PantryDecember Requests: Canned Soup,

Granola / Protein Bars, Instant Potatoes - No glass jars, please

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2015 Budget SummaryDetailed monthly financial reports are always available

in the church office for your review.

Total Annual Budget $ 1,514,405.35Budget needed YTD - 11/30/15 $ 1,236,013.99Received YTD - 11/30/15 $ 1,231,715.87 Difference ($ 4,298.12)

Building Fund Restricted Account - 10/31/15 $ 70,107.56Building (Brick & Mortar Expenses Only) Restricted Account $ 20,000.00 Total - 10/31/15 $ 90,107.56

YTD Budget Expenditures as of 10/31/2015 $ 1,140,901.50

Sunday Worship AttendanceNov

1Nov

8Nov 15

Nov 22

Nov 29

Monthly Average

2015 Average

8:00am 101 93 85 85 71 91 789:30am 385 359 461 371 481 394 38411:00am 243 255 283 244 211 256 276Total 729 707 829 700 763 741 738

New 13-week session starts December 21

Meetings every Monday night from 7–9 PM

fvumc.org/divorcecare

Growth Group Feedback RequestedIf you participated in a fall Growth Group, please share your feedback by completing the survey online at http://goo.gl/forms/eTJ8ggE9Qi.

Your input will help us evaluate whether participants feel they grew as a result of the study and it also gives you an opportunity to share feedback with our Christian Formation team.

Their joy was more than having a cousin visit. It was the joy of sharing something they had in common; a visit from an angel and the expectant births through the act of a miracle.

Having things in common can be foundational for meaningful relationships.

We tend to gravitate toward those with whom we share life experiences. For example, those in DivorceCare, Griefshare, or our retired friends, the “walkers,” all share a common thread that brings them together.

Advent is a season rich in hospitality. As an “Advent ministry,” ask God to show you

someone in your life, apart from church, with whom you share something in common.

Advent can be the perfect time to offer hospitality and build on that relationship. It is often through such friendships that God does the miraculous in helping people find their way to Christ.

Be inspired by the beautiful scripture telling the story of Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Mary. Better yet, share it with someone to whom you offer hospitality during this Advent season.

Peace, Valerie Tyson vtyson@fvumc.org Pastor of Welcoming & Congregational Care

And Mary Stayed with Elizabethcontinued from page 6

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One night last December, I found myself sitting at the kitchen table making cookies – by myself. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just that was not the plan. That was not our tradition.

Now that my kids are teenagers with busy schedules of their own, no one else was home but me. So there I sat, clinging to my tradition, making cookies alone – and feeling pretty sad about the whole thing. (I’m sure I let everyone know how sad I was when they got home.) One thing parenting has taught me about traditions is that they are easy to start and hard to let go. So what happens when the kids get older and you find yourself experiencing more transition than tradition?

The first thing I had to do was accept that transition is a part of life. It’s evidence that my kids are growing up and growing up is a good thing. It’s ok that they don’t want to watch Frosty the Snowman or make felt ornaments anymore. Now that they’re college and high school age their interests have changed – they are transitioning. Knowing that, if we want to stay connected with our kids, tweaking a tradition or even starting a new one needs to happen.

Second, their dad and I had to decide which traditions were worth clinging to and which we needed to let go. We did this by simply asking the kids which traditions meant the most to them. This helped so much! I was surprised by some of the things they said, like

getting a peppermint milkshake in our

PJs while driving around looking at Christmas lights had to stay. That one still gets two thumbs up! Making the gingerbread house on the other hand...it could go. (And while we’re at it, the Christmas cartoons could go too!) Who knew? They knew! Deciding on traditions with the kids gave us permission to let go of some things – guilt free – and stop trying to force moments to happen that they had outgrown.

Finally, I had to remind myself the purpose of traditions in the first place. Traditions are meant to keep us connected and give us a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves – not make us feel exhausted, frustrated and disappointed (maybe even a little depressed). As long as I have a relationship with my kids, things are good. We don’t have to make cookies to stay connected. We just need time with each other.

Now that I have one kid away at college and two teens at home, being together in the same place

at the same time is difficult, which makes keeping up with our traditions difficult. I’m learning to make the most of the time I have with my family rather than pout over the time I don’t have.

If we have some minutes in the car, we turn up the Christmas music and sing together. So what if we’re not gathered around the fireplace like we did when they were younger. Since

Continued on page 11

For parents of teenagers, the holidays can be bittersweet. Your “babies” are older, and traditions of Christmases past seem to fall victim to busy schedules and shifting priorities.

Given this reality for so many of our families, I share this article by Autumn Ward. May it help your family think about the traditions to keep and let go in this Advent and Christmas season.

May you have a blessed Advent and Christmas, Bobby Rackley, Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Christmas, Traditions, and Letting Go

Try ThisAs parents, it can be tempting to assume which holiday traditions are most important for our family members and which ones aren’t. This Christmas, try asking your son or daughter...

• Which Christmas traditions do you hope we keep going for a long time?

• Which ones would you be okay with ending?

• What is one new tradition you’d like to start this year?

By starting the conversation, you may be surprised at what you find. Sometimes traditions that seem silly to us are the most meaningful and memorable to our kids. Remember, fight for the relationship with your child, not the tradition.

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Traditions & Letting Gocontinued from page 10

watching the holiday movies is one of my kids’ favorite things to do, I make sure and record them so when we find ourselves together I can make popcorn and have a spontaneous movie night.

I allow my kids’ friends to join the fun because my kids really like being with their friends. Rather than look at it like their friends are invading our traditions, I’m thankful my kids and their friends are letting me hangout with them. It’s all in your perspective.

The point is we’re together, staying connected with the ones we love. After all, when you really think about it, it’s the relationship with your kids you should be fighting for, not the tradition. So keep a loose grip on those traditions but hold tightly to the hearts of your kids.

— Autumn Ward

January Book ClubThe Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher ScottonAfter seeing the death of his younger brother in a terrible home accident, fourteen-year-old Kevin and his grieving mother are sent for the summer to live with Kevin's grandfather in an Appalachian coal town. Kevin quickly falls in with a half-wild hollow kid named Buzzy Fink who schools him in the mysteries and magnificence of the woods. When Buzzy witnesses a brutal hate crime, Buzzy and Kevin

are tested to their absolute limits in an epic struggle for survival in the Kentucky mountains. Redemptive and emotionally resonant, the book is narrated by an adult Kevin looking back on the summer when he sloughed the coverings of a boy and took his first faltering steps as a man.

To join the dinner and discussion on Friday, January 15 at 6:30pm, contact Suzanne Jones at dsjones@nc.rr.com or Matilda Storm at matildastorm@embarqmail.com.

Columbarium Update - Board of Adjustment MeetingWe have been moving forward with Phase 1 construction plans for the columbarium — materials have been ordered, and the units are being fabricated.

We are scheduled to go before the F-V Board of Adjustments on December 14 for final approval and expect construction to begin by early January. A groundbreaking ceremony will be announced as soon as we receive final approval.

Don’t forget, the price of each two-person niche remains at $3,000 until our on-site construction begins and then increases to $3,500. An installment plan is available.

And for younger church members who may be concerned about making a long-term commitment, there is a provision that allows for a refund should you relocate.

Visit fvumc.org/columbarium or email kentate@embarqmail.com for more information. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, support and patience!

to sign-up for a group though not knowing who is in that group or who the leader is. Our group facilitators strive to have open doors to all who desire to participate.

Like the Son of God who moved into the neighborhood, so our Growth Groups meet in the neighborhood. They meet in homes, on the golf course, in pubs. They do so not because it is hip but because it’s where God meets us. Lastly, God’s openness to the stranger, reverberates in each Growth Group’s local outreach.

Serving together in the nearby community allows for relationship building and for the opportunity to be open to the stranger.

Matt Seaton, mseaton@fvumc.org Pastor of Christian Formation & Missional Outreach

What If Jesus from page 7

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Why Give at Year-End?The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks for the many ways God has enriched our life. Additionally, since tax laws intentionally encourage charitable giving, individuals who itemize their deductions can further reduce income taxes for 2015 if a gift is made by December 31.

How Might You Give?Sometimes gifts at year-end are lump sum contributions to complete a pledge or long-term commitment. Some offerings at year-end are second-mile gifts or memorial gifts. A gift above and beyond your regular contribution can help the church fulfill its mission commitments and serve the Kingdom of God more abundantly.

To honor a loved one or to honor the memory of a loved one with a gift to your church is a very appropriate and meaningful way to give thanks for that person and celebrate their life during the holiday season.

Basic GuidelinesCharitable contributions must be claimed for the year in which they are delivered. If you make a contribution in early January 2016, it must be claimed on your 2016 return. However, if your gift is mailed and postmarked in December 2015, it is deductible in 2015, regardless of when the gift was received and deposited.

Gifts of CashThis is the simplest and most flexible way to make a gift. Many have found joy in giving to the church if they receive a year-end bonus. If you use cash, be sure to use an offering envelope with your name and address on it so that your gifts will be credited to you on your yearly statement. If you write a check it must be dated 2015 and postmarked or received by Dec. 31, 2015. (Note our office closes at 1pm on 12/31.)

Gifts of SecuritiesConsider a gift of stock that you have held for more than one year that has substantially increased in value. You could receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the assets on the date of the gift and avoid federal capital gains tax that would otherwise be due on the sale of the asset.

If you own securities that are worth less now than when you purchased them, you may be better off to sell them, take the capital loss on your tax return, and contribute the proceeds.

The combined amount of the deductible loss and the charitable deduction may total more than the current value of the investment. Plan ahead, though, gifts of securities take several days to process. Check with your tax advisor to determine if a gift of securities is right for you.

Gifts from an IRAMaking gifts from an IRA or similar retirement plan may result in little or no tax on those withdrawals. If you itemize your deductions you should plan to report the amount withdrawn along with an offsetting charitable deduction. Check with your tax advisors for the specifics of your situation.

Those age 70 ½ or older should check with a tax advisor about the ability to make a tax-free charitable gift directly from a qualifying IRA. The provision allowing such gifts is widely expected to be renewed for gifts made in 2015. Again, plan ahead, these gifts may take several days to process.

For More InformationIf you have questions or would like to request the forms needed for a gift of stock, please contact Joan Thomas, Director of Finance and Administration at jthomas@fvumc.org or 919-552-4331, ext. 107.

Church Office Closings Schedule

12/24 Christmas Eve - Closing at 1:00pm 12/25 - 12/28 Office Closed 12/31 New Year’s Eve - Closing at 1:00pm 1/1 New Year’s Day - Office Closed

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