In our July newsletter, I shared that “No one can see into the future, but God.” These words

opened an article focused on the three plans offered by the Commission on the Way Forward that will be presented at the called General Conference in St. Louis on February 23-26, 2019. I also shared that I would try to update you as information unfolds.

On October 3-5 at the United Methodist retreat center, Epworth by the Sea, a plan was set into motion on the “General Conference Rules” that will govern decision-making this February. If you are interested in reading the Handbook for Delegates, there is a link on our church website page (http://trinitynewbern.nccumc.net/commission-on-the-way-forward-final-report/).

Unlike other General Conferences, the specially called 2019 General Conference will focus on only one issue: “receiving and acting upon the Commission on a Way Forward reports and proposals” (https://www.umnews.org/en/news/looking-at-ways-to-make-gc2019-efficient).

As mentioned in the July article, the Commission on a Way Forward was appointed with 32 members from varying theological stances to address the issue of human sexuality in the life of the United Methodist Church. Three scenarios were presented to the Council of Bishops and will be presented at the Special Session of General Conference in St. Louis. These three plans are called the One Church Plan, Traditional Plan and the Connection Conference Plan.

During regular General Conferences, legislation is divided among committees to be assigned to address different issues. In February, the legislation will not be divided among committees, it will all be considered by the full 864 delegation. All 99 petitions linked to the three above plans. These petitions will be shared in one day. Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, a member of the Commission on a Way Forward explains that “The legislative day will be presided over by an elected member of the conference, rather than one of the bishops. It will perfect the petitions that will eventually be acted upon again by the plenary session of the conference. The person to be elected chair will be one of those who served as a legislative committee chair at the 2016 Portland General Conference. That election will take place on the first day of the conference” (https://goodnewsmag.org/2018/10/2019-general-conference-process-set/).

The importance of this approach will be that the three plans will be considered as a package deal rather than being voted on in pieces. So, there will be a One Church Plan Package, a Traditional Plan Package and a Connection Conference Plan Package. The United Methodist Book of Discipline requires in the constitution that a required two-thirds vote of the General Conference and two-thirds vote of the total annual conferences are necessitated for any change to take place.

The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church will meet on October 23-26 to rule on the plans and required 2/3 vote by the General Conference and total Annual Conferences.

Finally, the format of the Special Session of General Conference has been shared by Rev. Thomas Lambrecht as follows:

“The special conference will run as follows:

Saturday, February 23, will be a day of prayer and preparation, culminating the bishops’ “Praying Our Way Forward” campaign to seek God’s help for our church’s way forward.

Sunday, February 24, will be the first day of business. The conference will hear a report from the Commission on a Way Forward on the three plans it brought forward. The conference will spend the rest of the day debating the three different directions suggested by the plans. At the end of the day, there will be a straw poll to determine which plan will be the one that the body works on. (This is not a final vote, but rather determines which set of petitions will be considered in the committee process. There will need to be more votes before the action becomes final.)

Monday, February 25, will see the conference meet as a legislative committee of the whole, presided over by a delegate. The body will consider, amend, and pass the petitions related to the plan they voted to consider on Sunday. Other petitions can be added to or substituted for the ones directly related to a plan. All the other petitions that are not approved will presumably receive a vote of non-concurrence, since all petitions must be voted on by the legislative committee. If the petitions related to the chosen plan do not pass, the body could presumably try to perfect other petitions related to another plan instead.

Tuesday, February 26, will be the final day of the conference and it will meet in plenary session, again with a bishop presiding. The petitions perfected on Monday will receive a final vote. The conference will also consider the implications of its actions for the future, particularly for the upcoming regular 2020 General Conference. This day also provides a bit of margin, in case the perfecting work is not completed on Monday or the conference votes to go in a different direction. Whatever is enacted by the plenary session on Tuesday will be the final decision of the conference.” (https://goodnewsmag.org/2018/10/2019-general-conference-process-set/).

I encourage us all to pray for the delegates, bishops, members of the Commission on a Way Forward, laity and clergy as we prepare for the Special Session of General Conference.

please Remember In Prayer:

Out of Town Members: Faye Betz - The Gardens of Pamlico, 22 Magnolia Way, Grantsboro NC 28529 Jo Brown - Cypress Glen, 205 John Wesley Rd., Greenville NC 27858 Sarah Davis - Magnolia Cottage Care, 5643 Hwy. 70, Dover NC 28526 Dot Hardison - Carteret Landing, 221 Friendly Rd., Apt. A1, Morehead City NC 28557 Noel & Henrietta Proudfoot - Cypress Glen, 301 Francis Asbury Ln.,

Greenville NC 27858 Maxine Tyndall - Sunrise at North Hills, 615 Spring Forest Rd., #183A, Raleigh NC 27609 Bill & Janice Underseth - Snug Harbor, PO Box 150, Sea Level NC 28577 Church Members: Don Chesner, Nell Cox, Amy Dudley, Bob Fiolek, Debbie Fredricks, Frances Gardner, Glenda Gilgo, Mary Lou Guptill, Jimmy Hicks, Jane Hinckley, Ruth Long, Dot Mallard, Bob McEnaney, Wanda McLaurin, Yuko Miller (travel), Beryl Nulph, Mike & Shanda Prince, Florida Smith, Carolyn Sutton, Laura Sutton, Phil Treadway, Maxine Tyndall, Bill & Janice Underseth, Billy Vestal, Barbara Warren, Jack Wygand Family & Friends: Hallie Albertson (Dennis’ Dad), Shirley Banks (C. & P. Woolard’s Friend), Ron Choate (K. Parker’s Family Member), Reginald Cook (Nash’s Son-In-Law), Vickie Fisher (N. Sears’ Daughter), Jody Furr (Wiley’s Daughter), Dennee Best Griffin (J. Wiley), Charles Parker, Agnes Phillips (L. Griffin’s Mom), Sue Spitzer & Family, Rachel Sugg, Regina Wethersby (J. Wiley), Clint White (J. Cox’ Friend), Joseph Wiley (deployed), Troy Woolard (Cleve’s Brother) Emotional Support: Jeanette Acevedo (deployed), Brad & Brian McPherson, Josh Wallace (deployed), Natural Disaster Victims, Our Nation, The Unemployed

*Please call the church office at 637-2660 if you know of anyone who may be removed

from the Prayer List.

Dear Trinity Family, Your beautiful and thoughtful hearts are much loved and appreciated! Thanks ever so much! Just for being there, thanks! With Love,

Patsy & Cleve Woolard

United Methodist Women

Circle Meetings Joyful Hearts

Mon., November 12th, 10:30 AM.

Ellie Stockton Tues., November 20th, 6:00 PM.

Helping Hands

Tues., Nov. 27th, 10:00 AM.

United Methodist Men News Tues., November 20th, 6:30 PM. All men of the church are invited for food and fellowship.

Single/Single-Again

Meets on Sunday, November 18th, 12:30 PM, at Friday’s. Please sign up on the Welcome Center bulletin board to attend.

Women’s Retreat Update The Women’s Retreat, “Lavender Springs Spa”, has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 9th 2019. There will be a sing-up sheet and more information to follow in the new year. Thank you for your patience and interest.

Stewardship Campaign “Growing Our Faith through Generosity”

Nov. 4th - Generosity of Talents Nov. 11th - Generosity of Treasures - Consecration Sunday A meal of chicken and waffles will follow both the 8:30 and 11:00 AM services on that day. Please bring your 2019 Estimate of Giving card to place on the altar.

In Memory Of

Jean Estes

P.D. & Pam Scott

Martha Ann Hobbs Smith

Rosamond M. Hoerr (Hurricane Relief)

Back Pack Blessings

Every Wednesday between noon and 4:00 PM we are to deliver (5 bins) to Trent Park Elementary School. Retrieve the tubs from the church and deliver to the office at Trent Park, identifying yourself as a representative of Backpack Blessing from Trinity UMC. Pick up the empty tubs from

the school and return to the church within the next week.

(The weight of the tubs may be too much for some individuals to carry.)

P rayers of Christian Sympathy are extended to Stan Rinehart and family on the loss of Dottie on October 2nd. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Teddy Bears Please bring a teddy bear to join us in our pews beginning any time after Thanksgiving. The bears will be distributed to our shut-ins and other needy community members right before Christmas!

HEARTFELT THANKS from Scott, Carol, and the Thornburg, Mitchell and Post families for your participation and love donations (over $6,000) to our Trinity AC fund on October 6th.

4th - Wendy McDonald, Mar ianne Parker , Heather & Molly Thornburg 11th - Duffy Huffman, Jolie Huffman, Sara Sanders, Pati Riggs 18 - Meagan Bueter, Lynn Gaskins, Charlene Goes, Cindy Nice 25th - Christy Buszka, Sandra Egolf, Kr isti Gilgo, Sydney Gilgo

Office Volunteers Needed

Tuesday, Nov. 13th

Wednesday, Nov. 21st

Monday, Nov. 26th

Tuesday, Nov. 27th

Friday, Nov. 30th Hours are from 9:00 AM to noon and noon to 3:00 PM. Please sign up on the Welcome Center bulletin board if you can help.

Church Office Closings

Monday, November 12th Thursday, November 22nd

Friday, November 23rd

Parking Lot Door Greeters 4th Laurie Kosco

11th Jane Hinckley 18th George Dudley 25th Heath Riggs

Altar Arrangements

11th - J. & D. Lewis

18th - Cornucopia

25th - Egolfs

Liturgist Schedule

4th

8:30 AM - Danielle Oakley

11:00AM - Tony Lafond 11th

8:30 AM - Kevin Wright

11:00 AM - Jerry Egolf

18th

8:30 AM - Linda Griffin

11:00 AM - Ross Hardeman

25th

8:30 AM - Donna Wright

11:00 AM - Lynn Gaskins

Multi-Media Assistants 4th 8:30 AM Laurie Kosco 11:00 AM Tony Lafond 11th 11:00 AM John Griffin 11:00 AM Molly Thornburg 18th 8:30 AM - Faith Huffman 11:00 AM - Noah Huffman 25th 8:30 AM - Laurie Kosco 11:00 AM - Meagan Bueter

Coffee Preparation

We want to thank the Mary Gaskins

Sunday School class for preparing

coffee in the Welcome Center for the

month of November. Coffee should be

ready by 9:30 AM.

Acolytes 11:00 4th – Koscos 11th - G. Young 18th - Thornburgs 25th - Lafonds

Nursery 11:00 4th - Scott & Carol Thornburg 11th - Marianne Parker 18th - Trudy Casey 25th - Sandra Davis

November Birthdays

2 - Carol Croscutt, Joe Thornburg; 3 - Lynn Gaskins; 6 - Diane Harper;

9 - Barbara Warren; 10 - Christy Buszka, Lila Sugg; 11 - Ed Nasser;

14 - Donna Wright; 16 - Olivia Webb; 19 - Scott Gaskins; 21 - Ruth Long; 25 - Norm

Sears; 26 - Faith Huffman; 28 - Ennis Evans, Shelley Rouse; 29 - Caitlin Melton

All Saints

Our tradition of honoring those who died within the last year will be Nov. 4th, at 8:30 and 11:00 AM. Family members or friends will light candles in memory of the following:

Jean Estes

Stephen “Steve” Jarman Miriam Petersen Michael Richard Dorothy “Dottie” Rinehart Patricia “Pat” Vestal

The Lull Before a Storm

What do we have to be thankful for? A God in heaven whom we adore. Family, friends, and a wonderful church. A roof over our heads, refuge in a storm, Hurricane Florence came ashore, that’s not a norm. People were scared, they hovered and prayed, Some stayed at home, others went away. Highways were flooded, winds were fast blowing, Trees swayed and fell, rivers and creeks were overflowing. People came together, rescuing those who were stranded, Lots of prayers, wishes, and help were heartfully granted. Life is like that, sometimes it’s good, other times not so, Take one day at a time, be in the know. Keep “God” in your life, He sends help through life’s wrongs, He give us love, hope and strength, when we have bad storms. ______________________________________________________________________

“My Thank You to God” Lots of love comes from above, it helps me to be strong, I know that God is with me, He’s been here all along. Without Him I’d be empty, He fills my heart with love, I’m blessed that He is here with me, thank You Lord in heaven above. I couldn’t write these poems without God’s help!! May God’s love bless all of you.

Diane Harper November 2018

Church & Ministry Leadership At-a-Glance

Lay Leader: Tony Lafond 636-5157 Council Chair: Dennis Albertson 637-7396 Trustee Chair: Chuck Gilgo 633-1526 Pastor/Parish: Vern Davis 638-2735 Finance: Linda Griffin 633-4409 Treasurer: Janis McDaniel 671-5144 Financial Secretary: Bertie Joyner-Tyndall 638-4351 Congregational Care Co-Chairs: Sandra Egolf 571-7220/ Carol Winters 636-1116 Missions: Jerry Egolf 571-7220 Youth Ministries: Lynn Gaskins 637-9257 Fellowship Ministries Contact: Worship Chair: Rick Kosco 637-1833 Ushers: Kevin Wright 635-6377/Jerry Creech 633-1813 Acolytes: Amy Dudley 633-9280 Communion: Mary Wetherington 637-5598 Multi-Media Ministry: Recording: Byron Creech 638-6069 Sound System: Johnny Mattox 637-5973 Children’s Worship: Worship & Wonder: Jo Lafond 636-5157 Toddler/Nursery: Marianne Parker 671-6604 Choir: Sanctuary: Kathy Mattox 637-5973

Evangelism / Outreach Communications: Valerie Nasser 638-9506 Bulletin Boards: Carolyn Sutton 637-3963 Web-master: Art Thinguldstad 649-0978/Ralph Melton 349-0835 Member Care: Visitation: Home Communion: Joyce Reynolds 571-5781 Bereavement Team: Dot Mallard 638-2923 Prayer Chain: Kristi Gilgo 633-1526/Lynn Gaskins 637-9257 UMWomen: Joyce Albertson 637-7396 UMMen: Rick Kosco 637-1833 Administration Assistance: Adm. Assistant: Michelle Freeman 626-8357 Membership Records: Avis Nash 514-0676 Church History/Archives: Dianne Lewis 637-2268

Mark Your Calendars

Children’s Christmas Program

“A Night in Bethlehem”

Please see Joyce Albertson or Duffy Huffman for more information

Sunday, December 9th

4:00 PM

Cantata

Sunday, December 16th

10:00 AM (one service)

UMM Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 11th

6:30 PM

Everyone is invited! Donations will go to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.

Christmas Eve Service

Monday, December 24th

5:00 PM (one service)

Regular Sunday Schedule: 8:30 & 11:00 AM Worship 9:45 AM Adult Assembly 10:00 AM Sunday School

Church Office Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Contact Information:

Church Office: 252-637-2660 E-mail: tumc09@gmail.com

Physical Address: 2311 Elizabeth Av., New Bern NC 28562 Mailing Address: PO Box 12867, New Bern NC 28561-2867