NEWSLETTER

Community United Church of Christ

The Communicator

November 2013 Volume 6, Issue 10

www.communityucc.net

3330 St. Lawrence Ave Reading, PA, 19606 610-779-3955

Inside this Issue1 From the Pastor

2 Fellowship Opportunities Holly Days Bazaar

3 Church in Society Worship & Music Christian Ed

4 Preschool News

5 Kids Page

6 Stewardship Update

7 Our Ministry of Worship

8 November's Calendar

Church Office Hours:Tues - Fri. 9:00 am- 2:30 pm email us at:office@communityucc.net

From The PastorRev. Dr. Deborah J. Winters

I have had a number of people ask me if there is anything they should know about the "care and feeding of a new pastor"? For those of you who enjoy internet searching there are a number of articles and biogs by churches and pastors giving advice about the "care and feeding of a new pastor" that offer some good advice and are a lot of fun to read. As I have thought and prayed about it here are my top three suggestions:

1. Remember to continue to keep the whole transition in prayer asking God to continue to guide:a. Zachery as he finishes

his courses and Zachery and Nicole as they find a place to live that is an easy commute for Zachary to CUCC and Nicole to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

b. CUCC as you prepare for your new pastor.

c. Gary and I as our ministry comes to an end at CUCC.

2. Remember that the first year at any job is a year of learning. Zachery and Nicole will be learning about you, about CUCC, its history and ministry, its traditions, why things are done the way they are and what your dreams for CUCC are as you will be learning all about Zachery and Nicole, their histories and what their dreams are.

3. I have found that as a church teaches its new pastor about its traditions it is a wonderful opportunity to revisit why things are done the way they are and to consider is there a way todo them better? Now is the time to dream together with your new pastor and to listen to what God is calling you to do together.

I am excited to hear how God will continue to guide you into the future and the ministry you will do together.

See you in Church, Pastor Deb

NEWSLETTER

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Our Mission Statement

We are a community of people growing spiritua lly, sharing God's love and serving others.

610-678-4303Rev. Deborah J. Winters

Interim Pastor

Sam DeWald

Fellowship Opportunitie s

Men's Breakfast Saturday, November 9th@ 8:00 a.m.The 2nd Saturday of each month the men of our congregation meet for breakfast to discuss timely topicsconcerning the church and our

COMMUNITY UCC HOLLY DAYS BAZAAR

SAT NOVEMBER 238:00 am - 2:00 pm

... •.. ... ... ...

-Consistory President

610-779-1890

community .

Just as important the Property Committee meets at 9:30 following

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'dtn'1C R A F T Ss

Regina FloydOffice Manager

610-779-3955

the breakfast to address the maintenance of the church. All are invited.

.•. ... ... ... ...CRAFTER$

Robin & Dustin BennettSextons

610-401-0265

Dan Smith Director of Music

610-779-3955

Barry Fehnel Children's Choir 610-370-0674

Christine Miller Preschool

Director 610-779-7086

Warren LubenowTreasurer

610-779-3632

Don Dickerson Financial Secretary

610-582-3177

Jack McGuire Asst. Financial Secretary

610-779-1092

Regina Floyd Financial Recording Secretary

610-779-3955

Book GroupThe book group continues to meet monthly at member homes. To join us or for additional information call Marianne Lubenow (610-779-3632).

Nov. 13, 12:30 - The K i tchen House by Kathleen Grissom (Host - Kim Crosier)

Dec. 11, 12:30 - The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (Host - Diane Schaeffer)

Retirees' Breakfast Thursday , November 21@ 8:30 a.m.You need not be retired to joi n in the fellowship ! If you can break away or start the day with us, please do so. We meet at The Breakfast Hut for a scrumptious meal and wonderful conversation . For more information contact Betty Houck (610.779.2962) or Ethel Adams (610.779.2164).

- Get out those ScissorsSOUPMAKERS

- Dust off that Pot....& BAKERS

- Dig out those Spices....

COME SHOWCASE YOUR WARES!! !

Donations of cookies , baked goods, jellies, jams and homemade soup are needed along with articles for the White Elephant Sale (no clothing or shoes) . Donations can be dropped off at the church on Friday Nov 22, after 3:00 p.m. Crafters wanted!Breakfast and Lunch will be served. Volunteers are also needed throughout the day. See the main bulletin board for cookie and soup sign-ups . For more information contact the church office at 610-779- 3955.

Schwarzwal d UCC Church Women's GuildNovember 18, 2013 - 7 p.m.

Special Dates

· All Saints' Day, November 1, 2013• Daylight-Saving Time ends, November 3,

2013• Veterans Day, November 11,2013· National Bible Week, November 17-23, 2013

• Christ the K ing Sunday, November 24. 2013

• Thanksgivi ng, November 28, 2013

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Dale Woodland- Guild November Program - The Reading Then & Now- is a series of photographs taken during the operation of the Reading Company with corresponding contemporary scenes today . It includes many new railroads that are now operating on what were the Reading Company lines.

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Church in Society

Exeter Area Food Pantry:

The Exeter Pantry continues to serve those in our community every third Friday of the month from 2-5:30 p.m Anyone that is able to support this much needed program can donate any cereal or non-perishable item by placing it in the bin 1n the narthex

At the November Exeter Food Pantry people attending will be given a box of food for Thanksgiving. Included in the box, will be a $10 gift card for Redner's that can be used to purchase a turkey or any other meat they prefer. The boxes will cost$25/box . Anyone interested in supporting this special gift, can make a donation payable to Reformation Lutheran Church with a notation on the check noting "for EAFP Thanksgivi ng box "

Exeter Area Food Pantry Reformation Lutheran Church 3670 Perkiomen Avenue , Reiffton 610-572-2344 to pre-register

In His Name Food Pantry

For the month of November we are doing a Harvest Home Collection.

The food items being are collected are:

Bag of flour Bag of sugarBag bread stuffing mix Can of pumpkin,Can of cranberry jelly Can of sweet potatoes Can/Jar of turkey gravy

Your donations can be put in the basket in the narthex

Worship & MusicChancel Choir

Lay Leaders and Worship Committee

Our Worship and Music committee is looking for new members interested in the planning and preparation for our worship services. We meet once a month. It would be especially nice to have one or two people from the congregation who experienceworship "in the pews."

Another way of serving the church is becoming a lay leader. Lay leaders serve on a rotating basis.Contact the church office if you are interested in either of these opportunities.

Children's Choir

Parents, grandparents, members , and Children, we need your help to make 2013 and 2014 Children's Choir Grow. Tell the children that you know about our Children's Choir for more information contact Barry Fehnel at 610-370-0674 .

Christian Education

Soft Pretzel Sale for Missions

Buy a delicious Philly Soft Pretzel for$1.00 after 10:15am worship. The sale will be held the third Sunday of each month. Christian Education has two major mission projects. We raise funds to buy a cow for the Heifer Project ($500) and sponsor two children in God's Precious Children program ($180). The pretzel sale helps to fund these projects. Money from the pretzel sale also goes to other mission pro1ects that are brought to our attention during the school year.

Basic Beliefs Class

The "Basic Beliefs" class is a primer course for people who are interested in learning the basic core beliefs that define us as Christians. The class will last approximately 14 weeks and will cover topics including General vs.Special Revelation. Attributes of God, Human Nature and Sin, Salvation, The Church, The Last Things, and How to Grow Spiritually. This classwill be facilitated by Rod Lundregan.

Kid's Night Out Friday, November 5th 6 pm to 9 pm

Plan a date night with your spouse and bring your child for their own special night.

The cost is $15.00 per child Pizza, snacks and drinks will beprovided. Join us for games, crafts and other fun activities!

First Come, First Serve.

Space is Limited.

Sponsored by CUCC Christian Ed and the CUCC Preschool.

For more information contact Christine Miller @ 610-779-7086, or cuccpreschool@veri zon.net.

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LABELS FDREDUCATION

"L"-a--b-e--ls--F-o-r-E--d-u--c-a-t-i-o-n--.-c-o-m- e

The CUCC Preschool is participating in the Labels for Education Program. We ask that you put your labels from participating products (listing on table in the hall near the main bulletin board) in the bin at the bottom of the stairs. The program is ongoing so bring your contributions in at any time. Thank you in advance for your support.

AllDecked

w- , Out

+++++++

Hanging of the Greens

Join us on Saturday , November 30 at 9:00 AM, as we prepare the church for the upcoming Holiday season We need men women and youth . This is a great way to earn Community Service points. For more information contact the church office at 610-779-3955.

++++++++

How good are you at keeping a secret? Contact the church office ((you can.Stealth individuals needed for a mission.

+++++++++

Live Nativity -Friday, December 6, 20137:00 & 8:00 PMSponsored by CUCC Christian Education and CUCC Preschool

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NEWSLETTER

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Brighten your dinner table with these festive candle holders.

What you need: /-• An adulr's help ' /_• Miniarure pumpkins \Y

(palm size)• Tea light candl s

Kids Paga

Leaves falling from trees are a sign of autumn's arrival. Giving thanks to God is a sign of our grati rude for his many blessings.

Directions: Using the words in the leaves, discover why it's good for us to thank God . (Hint: Use word length to help you.)

• Pencil /• Sharp knife '\' ,• Spoon C.. '\

What you do:1. Place a candle on top of

each miniature pumpki n and trace around the candle's base.

2. Have an adult cut around the circle.

3. Scoop our the pulp and seeds.

4. Place a candle i nside. Keep scoopi ng, if necessary, so the candle sits inside the pumpkin nicely.

5. Decorate your dinner table wi th the pumpkins. Have an adulr light the candles

v; ':' 1

'l\1 'O._- thanks endures

. ..G, --

----· ---_ _ _ _ ,

---------- 16:34, NIV

J\1N 'f7£:9l sapruo.n.o I ,,·iaAaJOJsampua a,\Qf S!\.{ '.poo2 Sf a4 JOJ 'illl01a41 Ol S){Ul?l{l <>A 9,, :SJaMSUV

Income Seot YTD Budaet % Rec'd

Envelooes 12,425.00 99,914.00 155,000.00 64.46%

Plate 552.00 5,086.94 4,000.00 127.17%

Church School 95 50 299 40 400.00 74.85%

Interest 18 44 205 32 400.00 51.33%BBQ/Spag 1,861.33 5,125.63 3,500.00 146.45%

Preschool 1 093.85 10 359.99 12,000.00 86.33%Sowers of God 350.00 2,450.00 4,200.00 58.33%

Miscellaneous 254.86 1 382.49 400.00 345.62%

Mission 45 .00 1,658 00 1,500.00 11053%

Total Income 16,695 98 126.481 77 181,400 .00 69.73%

Exoanses Seot YTD Budaet % Exo'd

Prof Staff 7,506.33 68,793.87 91,536.00 75.16%Office Oo 553.75 9,111.22 9,800.00 92.97%Christian Ed 0.00 435 .13 800.00 54.39%

Proo & Mnt. 4.131.03 53.822 58 65,792.00 81.81%

OCWM / CIS 363 33 4,642 .97 5,500 00 84.42%

Other Comm. 281 00 2,793 63 5231 00 53.41%

Misc 20 00 1,270.94 2,741 00 46.37%

Total Expense 12,856.22 140 870.34 181,400.00 77.66%

Net Ordinary Inc 3,839.76 -14,388.57 0.00 100.00%

Other IncomeNew Pastor Fund 0 00 1,000 00 IS4YF 0 00 176.60Music Fund 0 00 358.00Jinale Fund 34.00 1,160.66

Flower &Bulletin

Memorial ExpReimbursement 426.46 5,913.03

I Presch 'I Payro ll 2 , 29 0.15 3,632.08

Tot Othr Expense 2.716.61 ---15

i=I

NEWSLETIER

Budget as of September 30, 2013

St. Benedict's Rule

When St. Benedict wrote guidelines for Christian living more than 1,300 years ago , he focused on gratitude.

The first rule is simply this:

Live this life and do whatever is done in a spirit of Thanksgiving.

Abandon attempts to achieve security; they are futile.

demeaning.

Quit the search for salvation; it is selfish .

And come to comfortable rest in the certainty that those who participate

Thanksgiving will receive its full promise.

•••

Abundant Blessings

There is plenitude in God. That great fact must never be lost or obscured . We must not exchange this immense graciousness for a few scraps of human morality or a few shopworn proverbs. God is a vast reservoir of blessing who supplies us abundantly.

Reimbursement

Tot Othr Income

2.353 04 6.835.92 -i-2,472.= i10,964 47 : _

Other Expense

Music Fund Christian Ed

Family Promise Famil y

Ass i stance

l 0.00 125 00

0 00 255.00

53 12 53.12

0 00

--=P847

:43

: .HaveI s His

Net other

Income Net

Income

-•244.571'-_ ,_

3.595.19 -1

98 1

NEWSLETTER

Our Ministry of WorshipEach Sunday , we gather for worship at 8:15 & 10:15 a.m.; Sunday School for all ages at 9:00a.m. Remember that we have an elevator from the parking lot level to the sanctuary level.

Lay Ministry Schedule

Nov 3Lay Leader

8:15Jack McGuire

10:15Marianne Lubenow

Ushers Sam DeWald Dave Chapman

Bob & Mim Nonnon Jerry & Pam Coleman

Nov 10 8:15 10:15Lay Leader Karen Walulek Don DickersonUshers Kathy & Doug Weaver Barb Ash, Elaine Clark

Gary & Etta Shane

Nov 17 8:15 10:15Lay Leader Ushers

Regina FloydDick & Dixie Warmkessel

Todd Dierksheide Ron & Jean YergerDon & Sallie Dickerson

Nov 24 8:15 10:15Lay Leaders Ushers

Sam DeWaldThe Houck Brothers

Judy RogersKay Miller, Jodi BixlerBarry & Lisa Folk

Acolyte for the month of November is Lindsey Kistler

A Veterans Day Prayer

God of all nations, you are our Strength and Shield. We give you thanks today for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country ...We ask today that you would lift up by your Spirit those who are now at war ; encourage and heal those in hospitals or mending their wounds at home; guard those in any need or trouble; hold safely in your hands all military families and bring the returning troops to joyful reunion and tranquil life at home. Give to us, your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women and hold them always in our love and our prayers until your world is perfected in peace and all wars cease. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

RACE, CIVIL RIGHTS and JUSTICE

A Special Forum

Join us to consider the historical experience of minorities and the current realities, using the story of the changing times outlined inLee Daniels' movie:

THE BUTLER

Fox East Theatre4350 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA

Sunday, November 10, 20134:00 pm-Movie

6:15 pm-Panel and Q & A

Matinee Pricing - Limited Seating. Tickets at: Box Office orFoxShowTi mes.com

Look for updated information on Lee Daniels' The Butler link at www.communityucc.netcontact: butler@communityucc.net

-Rev. Dr.Jennifer Phillips

7

Nove111berSun

3 lloly Comnumion

Mon Tue

4 1 5 Elec1io11

Dal'

Wed

6

Thu FriI /I// Saints Day I 2

7 8 9

Sat

6:30 SOG Prayer Vigil 8:15 & 10:15 Worship9:00 Sunda) School1 1 :30 ReceptionI:00 J>Sl.,C Youth Cmte 3:00 Sowers of God4:00 Cub Scouts

7:00 PM Stewardship 7:00 So,,ers of God7:00 PM Boy Scours

I I :30 AM PreschoolStaff Meg

6:30 PM Bibl e Study7:00 Sowers of God 7:30 PM Chancel Choir

6:00 PM Kids N ightOut

8:00 A M Men'sBreak fast9:30 AM Property

10 ll1·e1ercms Day 12 13 14 15 166:30 SOG Pra}er Vigil I 7:00 PM Preschool 8:15 & 10:15 Worship9:00 'iunda) School II:30 \\ orship & Music 3:000 SOG4 :00 Cub Scouts

I:00 PM Stitch ing 4U 7:00 So,,er-. of (,od 7:00 PM Boy Scours

9:30 A \.1 Church Stall6:30 PM Bible Stud 7:00 SO\\ t:fS of God 7:30 PM Chancel Choir

Co1111111111icator Dea1//i11e

17 18 19 20 2 1 22 236:30 SOG Prayer Vigil 8:15 & 10: 15 Worship9:00 Sunda) School I I : 15 Pretzel Sale1 1:30 Christian Ed 3:00 SO\\ers of God 4 00 Cub Scouts

24 256:30 SOG Prayer Vigil 8:15 & 10:15 Worship9:00 Sunda} SchoolI I :30 Spiritual Needs 3 00 SO\\ers of God4·00 Cub Scouts

9:00 AM Hearing Screen ings7:00 PM Consistory 7:00 so,,er-. of God7:00 PM Bo) Scouts

26 279:00 A M I lcaringScreen ingsI :00 PM Stitchi ng 4U 7:00 Sowers of (lod 7:00 PM Bo> Scouts

8:30 AM Retirees Brcal-.9:00 AM Hearing Screening6:30 PM Bible Study 7:00 Sowers of God 7:30 PM Chancel Choir

28 Tlta11ksgivi11g

4:00 PM Bazaar Setup Begins

29

8:00 AM Ilolly Days Bazaar

309:00 AM I langing of theGreens

20 13

Christian Ed'"Family Promise

Flower & Bulletin Youth Group

0.00 402 .79 -0.00 150.00

85 00 860.500 00 20 00