What’s inside …

Nov. 5 Church cleaning day, p. 3

Nov. 6 All Saints Day — Remembering our members who have died this past year.

Sunday Morning Schedule, p. 8 & 9

Communion Offering for PATHWAYS, p. 7

Nov. 12 Emergency Food Pantry, p. 2 & 7

Nov. 13 Last Day to bring in Christmas Shoeboxes, p. 2

Nov. 15 Last Day to bring in your Thanksgiving Basket, p. 2

Nov. 20 Giving Thanks Sunday and Luncheon, p. 3

Angel Tree, pick up names, p. 3

Nov. 21 Deadline to make your reservation for Gingerbread House Workshop, p. 10

Nov. 27 First Sunday of Advent Hanging of the Green, p. 8

Nov. 29 Annual Holiday Brass Concert, p. 15

Dec. 1 Advent Study begins, p. 8

Dec. 4 Annual Toy Drive begins, p. 15

Dec. 11 Christmas Musical & “Soup’r” Lunch, p. 8

Poinsettia Orders for Christmas due today, p. 15

Dec. 21 Alternative Christmas Gifts due, p. 6

Jan. 29 Last day to Register for Women’s Retreat, p. 14

Towson United Methodist Church

Newsletter Volume 57, Issue 10

November 2016 ... page 2

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX GIFTS

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around

the world through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

We have been

DISTRIBUTING EMPTY Christmas Shoeboxes

with the labels, envelope, and list of possibilities and will continue on

Sundays, October 30 and November 6

BRING IN YOUR FILLED SHOEBOXES NOW!

We are storing them on the altar.

The LAST DAY you can bring in your filled Christmas

Shoebox is November 13.

John & Nancy Ross are happy to collect your filled

shoebox in the church lobby Sunday morning.

You may give to a boy or girl, ages 2-4, 5-9, 10-14 years old. Items you can put in a shoe box are small school supplies, toys, hygiene items, hard candy, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hairclips, or toy jewelry. NO used or damaged items, please. Don’t forget to add your $7 shipping donation in the envelope provided (unless you choose to go online to give your $7).

For more information, go to: samaritanspurse.org. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

operation-christmas-child/follow-your-box/ Donate $7 online and receive a tracking label.

Attach the label to your shoebox, and Samaritan’s Purse will track it and send an email to you about the country where your box will be delivered.

(Right) Ideas for your filled shoebox.

2016 THANKSGIVING BASKETS

Please include ONLY the following items in each bag:

1 can sweet potatoes/yams (23-29oz can)

2 cans meat/main dish (example: beef stew or chili, 15-24oz cans)

1 large can fruit (20-30oz can)

4 cans vegetables (example: green beans, peas, or corn, 15oz cans)

1 cranberry sauce

2 pkgs. macaroni & cheese

1 box instant mashed potatoes

1 cake or brownie mix

1 bag or box of stuffing mix

1 lb. bag or box of rice

*PLEASE DO NOT PUT MONEY OR GIFT CARDS IN BAGS.

TIPS FOR PACKING: Pack large cans on bottom & lighter items on top. If possible use a Reusable Grocery Bag /OR a double brown grocery bag inserted in double plastic bag. Mark bags as COMPLETE or INCOMPLETE (and list what is missing, please).

—OR— Purchase prepacked Thanksgiving reusable bags at one of the supermarkets listed below. Pick up at the Customer Service counter. Please call in advance to order multiple bags. Giant Supermarket (across from Timonium fairgrounds) - $23 2145 York Road, Timonium, 21093 — 410-308-3868 Giant Supermarket (across from Drumcastle Center) - $23 6340 York Road, Baltimore, 21212 — 410-377-2673 Aldi’s, Save-a-Lot, and Dollar Stores are offering great prices on items. *Monetary contributions will be used to fill additional baskets or to help with the cost of Supermarket gift cards that are given to our clients for the purchase of their turkey. PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY MONEY IN THE BAGS. All contributions need to be submitted to our church office, made payable to “Towson UMC” and note that it’s for “ACTC Thanksgiving.” Kim will send one check to ACTC from our church. And she will note your donation on your next contribution statement.

Contributions of Thanksgiving Baskets from our congregation are given to those who come to our Emergency Food Pantry November 12 and to those in Baltimore County served by ACTC the following week.

LAST DAY TO BRING IN

YOUR THANKSGIVING

BASKETS: TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 15

November 2016 ... page 3

It's time to spruce up God's House

Saturday, November 5th, 8:00-11:30

Bring a stepladder and bucket and meet at

8 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

for coffee and donut/bagel/GF treat,

choose your chores, then off you go until 11:30.

We will supply cleaning fluids, rags, etc.

Bring the entire family; day care will be provided!!

We have a lot to do — so come one, come ALL.

Ginny Foster (virginiafoster@comcast.net)

ANGEL TREE

Look for the ANGEL TREE Christmas tree to be located in the Church lobby the

Sunday prior to Thanksgiving — November 20th,

and choose an ANGEL/child’s name from the tree. The ANGEL will have a child’s name, gender, gift requests, and sizes.

Return the wrapped and labeled gift by Sunday, December 11th.

A team of volunteers will deliver the gifts and food baskets the following Saturday. For additional information or to help,

contact Carol Miller, carol.miller3@verizon.net or 410-733-4465.

Giving

Thanks

Sunday

Servants in Service

GIVING THANKS

As part of our Thanksgiving season we will be GIVING THANKS for ALL heroes of our church community!

Everyone will RECOGNIZE, CELEBRATE, APPRECIATE and be given a chance to THANK each individual who has helped you

or touched your heart in some way.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart”...Elizabeth Andrew

November 20, 2016

10:15 Worship Service

and

11:15 in Fellowship Hall

(You’ll be home in time for the football game!)

Church Staff and their responsibilities:

Rev. Rod Miller Lead Pastor rmiller@towsonumc.org 410-823-3640 (church) 410-465-2335 (home)

Preaching, worship, administration, pastoral visitation, visioning, and ministry development

Rev. Margery Schammel Assistant Pastor mschammel@towsonumc.org 410-823-2485

Christian education for children, youth, and adults, and worship leadership

Rev. Doug Hollida Minister of Music & Organist MusicDirector@towsonumc.org 410-823-6519

Children, youth, and adult vocal choirs, handbell choirs, worship accompanist, and composer

Kim Ayres Business Manager/ Receptionist kayres@towsonumc.org 410-823-3693

Financial and office administration and liaison to Finance and Trustees

Cathy Anderson Director of Communications communications@towsonumc.org 410-823-3689

Graphic arts, weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, webmaster, audio and visuals for worship, liaison to missions

Bob Ashby Maintenance Assistant

Assists in building cleaning and event set ups

Erin Rigley, Director Hampton Lane Child Development Center cdcdirector@towsonumc.org 410-825-0008

November 2016 ... page 4

Letter of Appreciation to Towson UM Church: October 16, 2016 We, the Pastor, Trustees, and members of Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church, would like to extend our sincere appreciation for all the many ways you helped us [following the fire in their church sanctuary in December 2013]. You opened your hearts and hands and supported us when we needed it most. Jesus tells us to put our faith in action and your actions deserve our thanks. We are forever grateful for your encouraging words, prayers, and kindness extended to us during our time of recovery. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the pastor, Rev. Dr. Roderick J. Miller, and congregation for your help and support. —Rev. Cecil Conteen Gray, Ph.D., Pastor

We knew this day would come eventually. Here it is, almost four years to the day since Superstorm Sandy came ashore in Crisfield on October 29, 2012. Our last team, Hopewell UMC from Downingtown, PA will be arriving on October 29, 2016 and leaving on November 1.

Along the way we will have repaired 211 homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy and another 43 homes in our Risk Reduction program, with the help of some 4300 volunteers, and made some wonderful friends in the process. Several teams have returned eight and nine times and many more for four or more trips.

More important, though, than the numbers, is the witness we have made for Jesus Christ and His love for us. People in the community have driven by our site at Union-Asbury UMC and seen the parking

lot full of volunteers’ cars week after week, month after month, and now year after year. Many volunteers have stayed in touch with homeowners’ they helped. Just yesterday, a lady at PNC bank told me what a blessing we have been to the community.

We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for all you have done to make our efforts successful and to spread the love of Jesus Christ. Please express our gratitude to your team members and to the congregations who sent you here.

In Christ and for the entire staff, Ben Botti, Site Coordinator Peninsula-Delaware Conference Sandy Recovery The United Methodist Church 3480 Freedomtown Road, Crisfield, MD 21817

I have appreciated your prayers, thoughts, and best wishes as I continue to recover from my rib fractures. Also the prayer shawl is most comforting. Many thanks. —Betty Gralley Thank you for the cards and prayers you sent my way for me and my family. My mother died Oct. 11 after a 13-month battle with breast cancer. The last month of her life I, along with my brothers and sisters, spent a lot more time helping my father and the hospice nurses care for mom. We know she is now free of pain and in the arms of the Lord, for whom she cried so many times. My siblings and I will continue to assist dad. He is still active; however, he asked that one of us have dinner with him every night. We look forward to this joy! — Cathy Anderson

Thank You!

Pastor’s LetterPastor’s Report to

Charge Conference 2016 Towson United Methodist Church continues to be a beacon to the larger community through its ministries and mission, the generosity and leadership of our people, and because of our advantageous location and facilities.

Sunday Morning is the primary gathering time for the church. TUMC has a unique approach to integrating traditional and contemporary worship elements. We are intentional about including as many individuals as possible in our worship life. The congregation benefits from the many gifts and talents of our members. For example, in the last year, our worship band became a well-established part of our worship schedule.

Sunday morning is also the primary time for learning and spiritual growth. We are excited to have 8 different adult classes meeting on Sunday mornings, which is up from 5 last year. Each of the classes welcomes new members which assists our congregation in relationship building and engagement in the life of the church.

For Pentecost, we promoted 14 Days of Prayer for the church and for the larger denomination. Prayers were written and shared on Pentecost Sunday and were collated. Two priorities emerged as strong prayer concerns:

The first indicated the need to hire a full-time youth director to help strengthen and expand our youth program, as well as to help with technology and young adults. Our Board of Trustees voted to support hiring a youth director by releasing funds from our endowment for compensation support as needed.

The second concern reflected in the prayer cards is about being an open and including congregation. The Church Council is addressing this concern by planning to hold listening/discussion circles on this topic which will be open to the whole congregation.

Our “Growing Forward” capital campaign is now beginning the 3rd year of a 3-year commitment. Over $800,000 has been contributed to support capital needs around the church. On October 2, we received a special “2nd Fruits” offering to support these efforts. As of today, over $45,000 was received – much of it in gifts over and above what was pledged.

Last year, SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) launched a “Servants in Service” program to encourage lay participation in serving the church and beyond the church. A number of individuals have stepped forward to serve in significant ways. On November 20, “Giving Thanks Sunday”, we will take the time to thank everyone who is serving in any ministry capacity through-out the church.

This is but a brief overview of some of the vital, Spirit-led, and life enhancing ministries going on today at Towson United Methodist Church. I look forward to continuing our ministry expansion in 2017.

In Christ, Rod

Rod Miller

The Stewardship Campaign for 2017 is continuing. The theme for the campaign is "Thank You , Faithful Servant", based on the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. In this parable, the master, who has gone away and left his servants to invest part of his property (talents), returns and praises and rewards those servants who did well in managing what they had been given, calling them "good and faithful servants". God rewards faithfulness. In verse 29 of the parable, there is the promise that "to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given". Commitment Sunday was October 23rd. If you have returned your commitment card, we thank you. If you have not had the chance yet to respond, we ask that you prayerfully consider how you might invest the time, abilities, and resources given to you for God's service. Please mail the completed card to the church business office or bring it to the next church service (cards are in the pew racks). Thank you for your support of the ministry and mission of TUMC. —Your Stewardship Ministry Team

November 2016 ... page 5

Charitable Organization

you choose to give to:

Amount

In Honor?

or In Memory?

Card sent to:

Name/Address

Send this Donation Form and include your check payable to “Towson United Methodist Church,” noting on the

check that it is for Alternative Christmas Gifts. If you would like to have a card sent “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone, please send your gift in by Wednesday, December 21. Indicate if you would like the

cards sent to you, or directly to the person that you are honoring. Thank you!

Please send your donations to: Towson United Methodist Church

Alternative Christmas Gifts 501 Hampton Lane

Towson, MD 21286

or drop them off at church and place in the mail slot on the main office door.

Your Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Your Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Your Phone Number: _______________________ E-mail: _________________________________

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $ ___________________

Alternative Christmas Gifts 2016 Make a difference … Give a gift of hope!

Do you wish you could find a better gift to give?

Here are opportunities for you to give a gift that will impact another person or organization in need. Instead of another Gift Card — if it’s not really needed — give your friend the gift of knowing that, because of him/her, someone else will truly benefit. Gifts may be given in honor or in memory of your friends or loved ones. — Merry Christmas from your Mission Work Area

UMCOR — United Methodist Committee on Relief, an organization to alleviate human suffering

caused by war or natural disaster.

Food 4 Thought — feeds children in our local schools over the weekends.

Wings of Caring — provides operational support for the aviation ministry in Central Congo.

www.UMAviationministries.org

Araminta Freedom Initiative — mission is to awake, equip, and mobilize the church and

community to dismantle child sex trafficking in the Baltimore region.

SENIOR ADULTS — Bus Trips On October 12th, 37 of us traveled to the National Christmas Center in Paradise Pennsylvania where we visited exhibits

of Christmas past in various countries, various themes and a splendid exhibit of the Nativity. There was an amazing huge hanging quilt of the face of Santa with a total of over 19,000, 1-inch squares. We then traveled to the Best Western Eden Roc for a very tasty buffet lunch and then to Lititz to hear Elva Hurst explain the history of the Christmas tree and at the same time watch her draw with chalk a beautiful winter scene with the center being the Christmas tree surrounded by a church, house, trees and hills. She did this with such ease and grace. Lights were then turned on the scene and the picture took on several colors for times of day and glowed at night due to her using fluorescent chalk. As a true bonus of this trip, we were given the picture and it will be hanging in the church (place yet to be determined) for everyone to see.

The SAC (Senior Adult Council) has met and decided on 4 very nice events/trips for 2017. These are a Mt. Vernon, Virginia tour and cruise, lunch at Friendly Farms and tour of Boordy Vineyards, Dutch Apple Comedy Theater in Lancaster PA and the American Treasure Museum in Oaks, PA (near Valley Forge) with hopefully a tour of Valley Forge. The brochure for these events will be out in January 2017. We hope you will plan to join us.

We also encourage you to think about joining SAC. We are always looking for new ideas of places to go, things to see and do. We have a good time planning them and the end result is always rewarding. We meet 2nd Tuesday of the month.

COMMUNION/MISSION OFFERING PATHWAYS Tutoring Ministry

November 6th and throughout the month of November

I am sure many of you have noticed that, with the coming of Fall, the school systems have geared up for another year. Many of you have fond memories of new clothes, school supplies, shiny hallways, welcoming teachers and administrators, and parents who were more excited than you that you were starting a new school year!

PATHWAYS leaders and tutors feel the same way! We anticipate meeting new students and welcoming back students from previous years. Since we are adding another school this year, we are excited about the possibility of reaching into another Baltimore community and helping those underserved students meet any academic and social challenges that may arise.

November’s Mission/Communion Offering gives you an opportunity to help in this endeavor. All this month the Missions donations will go toward supporting PATHWAYS tutoring. This unique ministry has been part of TUMC for 10 years. Over the years we have helped over 400 students, many of whom came back year after year. The cost of busing, snacks, field trips, academic resources, mailings, background checks for tutors, family celebrations dinners, holiday gifts for students, and tutors all adds up!

Please consider a generous contribution to this growing ministry. Your checks should be made to “TUMC“ noting PATHWAYS in the memo area. Your donation will be noted and be part of your contribution record for tax purposes.

Thank you!

We've found a home for all those eyeglasses that have been accumulating in the office. Project 2020, organized

in 1992, by the Memphis Conference of the UMC as a human service mission program. Volunteers screen

donated glasses in a space donated by Emmanuel UMC and ship them to medical teams working in

underdeveloped areas.

The mission of Project 2020 is "to prevent blindness and improve vision among the indigent and working poor in

underdeveloped areas of the world. This is accomplished by providing sunglasses, eyeglasses, and other support

to medical teams..."

You may send your glasses to: Project 2020 Eyeglasses Recycling Center, Emmanuel UMC, 2594 Kirby Rd.,

Memphis, Tennessee 38119 or put them in the basket in the office marked Project 2020.

For more information, go to www.Project 2020.org. _______________________________________________

OUR EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY ... will be open to the public on Saturday, November 12

9:00 to 10:30AM — in Fellowship Hall Please bring in your Thanksgiving Baskets so that we have

enough to give each of our EFP families — PLUS!! If you would like to volunteer to help once a month,

contact Dwight Kines at 410-828-0792.

Missions & Outreach

November 2016 ... page 7

November 2016 ... page 8

Advent Celebration

November 27 from 11:30-1:00 we will be holding our Advent Celebration. Adults will be decorating and hanging the

greens throughout the church. There will be activities

for the children while the adults are

decorating. After the decorating,

we will come together for lunch.

We will have a time of dedication and listening to our Joy Singers sing.

Please join us as we celebrate the beginning of Advent with this time of fellowship with our church family.

Advent Study:

Our study for Advent is Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected. The study is four weeks long, with each week written by a different author.

Talk with your Christian Connections leaders to find out if your Sunday morning class will be using this study.

We will also offer the study on Thursdays, Noon – 1PM, Dec. 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd in room 317. Bring your lunch if you want and join us as

we prepare for the Gift we never expected.

December 11, 2016

Christmas Musical 10:15 AM

Sunday "Soup'r" Lunch...

this will follow a wonderful service

of singing. Come to Fellowship Hall

for crab soup, salad, bread, drinks

and dessert. The soup will be served

in a TUMC mug which will be yours to

take home. Buy a place setting or two

of TUMC china, as well as serving bowls.

Browse the Lost and Found table to see

if anything may be yours. Shop at the flea market. Shop

at the craft market. Watch the Christmas tree story.

When you have finished ALL of this, take the shuttle to

Hampton Mansion for their Christmas celebration.

Now to make this a truly wonderful fellowship event for

us, we do need your help. We will need pots of soup...can

be vegetable to which we will add the frozen crabmeat

from our crab feast, or any soup of your liking. We will

need cookies, lots of cookies, be they home made or

bought, just lots of them. Then we need more of your

talents… get out the needles, scissors or whatever you

use to create your crafts. Then search the attic,

basement and closets for anything you may no longer

want and donate to the flea market. We also need

helpers for organizing, decorating, setting up and

cleaning up. This is going to be a joyful church event.

Come share in it!

ADVENT 2016 Begins Sunday, November 27

God is expecting…

S U N D A Y M O R N I N G W O R S H I P A T T O W S O N

8:15 AM Traditional Service in the Chapel. This service has communion every Sunday and usually piano or organ accompaniment.

10:15 AM Worshipping God Together in the Sanctuary. This service is blended and richly varied. About twice a month we open with contemporary songs led by our praise band. And, about twice a month we are more traditional, with one of these Sundays including an old-fashioned-hymn-sing. Every Sunday, we hear from the 3,000 pipes of our glorious organ. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month, and is open to all.

We have gluten-free bread, too, just ask the server.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES: 8:15a Chapel Communion Service — Chapel

10:15a Worshipping God Together — Sanctuary

Cribbery (nursery) — in Room 122 The cribbery opens for children infants to 3s at 8:45 AM and remains open until after the 10:15 worship service ends.

8:45—10:15a… Coffee, treats, and friends in the Parlor

9:00—10:00a Sunday Mornings:

Preschool (age 3 to not yet in kindergarten) in Room 115

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade in Room 311

3rd Grade – 5th Grade in Room 312 The children at TUMC are supporting the American Bible Society this year. They will be asking you to help them raise funds to give to the American Bible Society. Check out www.americanbible.org for ideas about how you can support and to learn more. Towson Youth see p. 6 for youth classes.

POST HIGH SCHOOL

ADULT CLASSES

9:00 SUNDAY MORNINGS

Adult classes vary in content and context — there is one for you!

ADULT BIBLE STUDY — HOFFMAN ROOM 218 This class consists of men and women of diverse ages.

The class chooses books of the Bible or books grounded in scripture. Ruth Steer leads this class. She may be contacted at 410-825-7407. CHRISTIANS UNDER CONSTRUCTION — ROOM 111

Class is geared toward 22-to-40 year olds. They enjoy discussing Bible truths and applying lessons to daily living. They tackle issues they feel are important to their spiritual journey. Class contact is Leslie Wagner, who may be reached at L2Wagner@verizon.net. DISCIPLE ONE BIBLE STUDY — CHAPEL

This is a modified version of Disciple 1 Bible Study offering during our Sunday School hour. The course runs for 34-weeks. This class has begun and is not open to new participants.

MEN’S CLASS — ROOM 310 Men of all ages discuss a wide range of topics selected by

the class. Fellowship and service outside of class time present additional ways in which our participants grow in faith.

Class contact is Dave Turlington, who may be reached at 410-667-1491 or dturlington@verizon.net.

TOWER CLASS — ROOM 214

Using The Wired Word as a primary resource, this class considers the latest headlines in a scriptural context. All discussions are self-contained, so feel free to drop in (and out) any time. Although we seldom agree amongst ourselves, all points of view are welcomed and respected.

College age adults are encouraged to attend. Class contact is Kevin Gralley, 410-527-1867 or

kevin.gralley@gmail.com.

WOMEN’S CLASS — ROOM 212 Please join the Women's Sunday school class. Class is open

to all women of the church, members and visitors alike. Great class for college age women!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Trish Turlington—dturlington@verizon.net, Alicia Corson—apcorson@gmail.com, or Robin Smith—robin_smith@verizon.net.

YOUNG PARENT’S CLASS — ROOM 114

A group that meets to discuss, and help each other with, the trials and tribulations of raising infants, toddlers, and young children in a Christian way. This is a drop-in (and out) style class. Classmates create a great support group. Contact is Lissa O’Donnell, LKo1783@gmail.com.

DURING THE 10:15 WORSHIP SERVICE:

Pray and Play (children ages 4-6) in Room 314. This is an

experience of fun and learning with a team of teachers.

Ms. Jamie comes every week to lead the Joy Singers.

K.I.D.Z. (children ages 7-11), begin in the worship service with their families; to be dismissed partway through the service for fun and learning in Room 310.

SUNDAY MORNINGS

November 2016 ... page 9

November 2016 ... page 10

Gingerbread House Workshop Saturday, December 3, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Proceeds benefit PATHWAYS!

A Volunteer Educational Mission Project of TUMC

Towson United Methodist Church

501 HAMPTON Lane, Towson, MD 21286

$40 per child and house, ages 5 and above with an accompanying adult.

($30 is considered a donation for tax purposes)

Reservations* needed by Nov 21, 2016….call:

Susan Killian at 410-238-4766

Reservations* confirmed upon receipt of check

payable to Towson United Methodist Church/Pathways

This event fills up quickly!!

I would like a reservation for ____________ Ginger Bread House(s)

At $40 per child and an adult!

I would like to order a Gingerbread House Kit(s)_____$40/kit

which I will pick up as a carry-out on Dec. 3, between 1-3 PM

Please, mail reservations and check (payable to Towson United Methodist Church/Pathways) to:

Ms Susan Killian, 350 Wye Road, Essex, MD 21221

Before… November 21, 2016

Name(s)___________________________________________________

Check total $_________

Telephone_______________________ Email____________________________________

Sunday Morning Classes at 9:00am

Middle School: Room 216

High School: Room 317

Confirmation: (8th

graders) Fellowship

Hall

UMYF (Youth Group) Calendar

Nov. 6 — 11:30AM – 1PM, meet with youth director

candidate, Rachel; THIS IS A CHANGE!

Nov. 13 — 6-7:30PM, Amazing Race GAMES

Nov. 20 — 11:30AM – 1PM, meet with youth director

candidate, Matt

Nov. 27 — NO meeting, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Youth Special Events———

We have cancelled our participation in the Flashlight

event. Please pray for the people who are helping the

homeless, for those without a home, and for those

who are at risk of losing their homes.

ROCK: Feb. 3-5, 2017: If you have not signed up and

sent your $50.00 deposit to Margery, do that

ASAP!! The deadline was Oct. 1st. Youth in 7th

grade and older may attend this mega- event in

Ocean City, MD.

CLAUDETTE: Our adorable girl in Rwanda has turned 4

years old! We support her as we also encourage

and support her family. Please pray for

Claudette that she may be healthy and strong.

May her family be able to provide food and

shelter, and all the care she needs. May they

know the love of God more every day.

Check us out on Facebook. Questions? Contact Margery at mschammel@towsonumc.org or

410-823-2485.

November 2016 ... page 11

These six youth packaged 50 health kits for those in need thanks to your generosity!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

The Food Pantry would like to THANK YOU for your generous donation of Health (Toiletry) Kits. The kits were so appreciated, and well received, by our guests as we gave them out during our October Food Pantry day. What a true blessing many of the items in the kits will be for the upcoming cold weather! In addition, the sizes are so ample. Thank you all for a job well done. In the name of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ! : ) Val Wehrle for the Food Pantry

November 2016 ... page 12

A View from My Pew By: Susan Davis Bengel

It is hard to believe that another year is so close to coming to an end. When I was young and felt like the days and months drug on awaiting summer vacation or for Christmas to arrive or my birthday, my mom would always say, "just wait until you are older and the time will seem to fly by." As much as I doubted that would ever happen, I find myself now not believing just how fast it does fly by.

November has always been an exciting time for me. Thanksgiving was always a time for family and good food and my dad always started playing Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day. My cousin's across the street always put up their Christmas Tree on Thanksgiving Day. I used to think that was crazy to be putting it up that early, but today they would be considered late since most of the stores have had Christmas decorations and trees out since the end of September!!

Not long after I moved here to Maryland the holidays were divided up to alleviate my mother-in-law from hosting them all. Thanksgiving became my holiday to host and I always enjoyed preparing all my traditional southern dishes along with the expected Baltimore traditions such as sauerkraut and stewed tomatoes which I had never experienced in my southern feasts. Some of my traditional dishes such as the sweet potato casserole became a favorite to which I would be asked to prepare for other holiday gatherings. Of course having family affiliations with Calvert Hall and eventually having a son to attend there, Turkey Bowl became a Thanksgiving Day tradition. Even if you have no connection with Calvert Hall or Loyola, if you are from Baltimore you will know what Turkey Bowl is. I never got to attend as I was always preparing for the dinner, but I loved hearing all about the game and having it playing on the TV while I cooked.

A few years ago I jumped in on the challenge of posting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Each day for the 30 days in November you post something you are thankful for. Now this may seem silly to some but I found that it caused me to search my heart for things I am truly thankful for that I tend to take for granted or fail to share with people. It became for me a way to express and share things that make a difference in my life and who I am and the people who have been part of my journey.

I recently passed a picture in a store that read, ‘Happiness is not having what you want but wanting what you have.’ I read it, continued to walk and then stopped and backed up to read it again. It was such a simple but profound statement. So often our perception of what happiness is can be totally off. We think trying to achieve and obtain something we don't have will make us happy. When in fact we are so busy looking over what we have to eye something we don't that we miss the happiness that is all around us. We think trying to obtain something new rather than fix what we have will make us happy. We are not thankful for what we are given but instead want more or something different. Only to find that something new and different sometimes brings a different set of issues or unhappiness and we then continue to reach and search for something else.

God brings to our lives what we need, when we need it. He provides us with all we need to be happy. It is not material things, it is family and friends. It is memories and experiences. It is time spent with people you love and care about. Yes it is arguments and disagreements and it is reconciliation and forgiveness, too. It is what we have, good and bad, that we are given to work with and grow from. These are the seeds from which happiness grows. Life is not perfect, God never promised us it would be. He promised us He would always be there through whatever we experience. These are the promises I base my happiness and thankfulness on, through the good and bad times.

So I challenge you all this month to write your 30 days of Thanksgiving. Share if you like or just make notes daily for your own viewing. Make sure at least 4 of those, one a week, is expressed so someone you are thankful for. Someone who may not know the difference they have made in your life. Call them, drop them a note, send a text, surprise them with a visit. Just let them know how thankful you are for whatever their part has been in your life. This month of all months be sure to spread your thankfulness and I think you will find your happiness level will increase too.

Heavenly Father, as this season of Thanksgiving is among us may we remember to appreciate and recognize all that we have been given. May we share our gratefulness with those who have been instrumental in creating those blessings. May our hearts be filled with happiness because we have learned to be satisfied with all we have, rather than constantly seeking more or things we don't have. Help us to reconcile with those we have not appreciated and allow our eyes to be opened to the hurt we may have caused by failing to recognize their actions. May this Thanksgiving have new meaning by realizing our happiness is multiplied by sharing our thankfulness.

Amen

30 Days of

Thanksgiving...

Each day for the 30

days in November

you post something

you are thankful for.

ARTICLES FOR THE NEXT HIGH SPIRE

December 2016 / January 2017 double issue

is due Friday, November 18 , 2016.

All articles need to be on time and either in the marked folder outside

Room 315 — OR — e-mail to Cathy Anderson at

communications@towsonumc.org. Thank you!

WHAT IS THIS? No, it’s not a new stamp from the Post Office … but it is for your smart phone! If you have an app to scan QR codes, then HERE IT IS … the new

Towson United Methodist QR code. You can donate to the church online from your home or pew using your credit card or online banking! It’s safe and secure.

This includes your Sunday offerings, Capital Journey payments, and monthly mission offerings. For miscellaneous payments & gifts (such as for lunches or Alternative Christmas Gifts), click on OTHER, make sure you fill in the memo line.

You can also submit your donations at towsonumc.org, scroll down, click on DONATE. Follow the same instructions as above.

THANKS!

TOWSON PRAYS ONLINE

http://

towsonprays.blogspot.com

Prayers and thoughts written

by friends at church!

Make this a “favorite” and

join us in prayer.

Upper Room devotionals are

available in regular and large

print. You can find them on

the credenza under the

pictures of the church’s

stained glass windows in the

main lobby.

See the chart outside the main office door — OR — call the church office at 410-823-6511

to order Flowers to be placed on the Altar and to Light the Spire in honor or

in memory of a loved one. Orders need to be placed by

Noon Tuesday BEFORE the Sunday.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR may be given in honor of or in memory of loved ones. You have a choice when donating flowers for the altar: you may order arranged cut flowers that you take home after the 10:15 service on Sunday for $30.00, OR — you may consider ordering from Paul’s Flowers, which could be a lasting shrub or perennial flowers to be planted here at church for $55.00. Paul’s Flowers may be ordered April—Nov., and need a 2-week notice.

If you would like a rosebud on the altar announcing the birth of your child or grandchild, please contact the church office at 410-823-6511.

Donate to LIGHT THE SPIRE IN THE EVENING FOR THE WEEK in honor of or in memory of a loved ones. Cost is $30.00. Fill out an envelope with the details of your gift and place in the mail slot in the church office door. Envelopes are with the Flower Chart on the wall outside the church office (or call the church office).

November 2016 ... page 13

This month, you will be receiving

a prayer card,

shaped like a Bible,

with a child’s name on it.

Please put this card

in a place where you will

see it every day

and pray for that child.

Pray

that the child will be well,

will be open to God’s Spirit,

will be loved,

will have fun,

will learn and be safe in school,

will live in a loving and faith filled family.

Prayer is powerful and we want to set a

foundation of prayer for these children’s lives!

The International Women’s Brass Conference, Maryland Chapter, will present its Annual HOLIDAY BRASS CONCERT

Tuesday, November 29 — 7:30 PM

at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Charles Street, Baltimore. Our Chancel Choir will be one of the choirs participating.

This lovely concert showcases brass, bagpipes, and a sing-a-long. Don't miss it!

Ginny Foster is again handling the group-rate tickets ($20 per ticket) for TUMC.

You may reach Ginny at 410-296-4780 or virginiafoster@comcast.net. Make your checks payable to IWBC.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA 2016

Price for each plant: $15.00

The men of Towson United Methodist Church have arranged for you to have a poinsettia in the Chancel area of our church during the Yuletide Season in honor or memory of a loved one. A complete listing of plant gifts will be available the Sunday before and at the Christmas Eve Services. If your order is received on or before December 11, 2016, your request will be listed.

Complete this form and mail to: Towson United Methodist Church

501 Hampton Lane, Towson, Maryland 21286 Make your check payable to: TUMC

YOUR NAME __________________________________________________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ________________________________________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ________________________________________________________________________

IN HONOR OF ________________________________________________________________________________

IN HONOR OF ________________________________________________________________________________

Circle your choice:

PLEASE SEND MY PLANTS TO A SHUT-IN YES NO

I WISH TO PICK UP MY PLANT AFTER YES NO CHRISTMAS EVE 11:00 PM SERVICE

ANNUAL TOY DRIVE The Outreach Committee’s annual toy drive will be held on December 4 and

December 11. On those two Sundays, toys will be collected in the foyer for the children

of the Homestead United Methodist Church on Gorsuch Avenue in Baltimore city. These toys should be NEW and wrapped in Christmas paper. On the outside of the wrapping, please indicate whether the toy is for a boy or girl and the approximate age of the intended recipient.

The Outreach group at Homestead Church has a Christmas party for their community every year, at which time the toys are distributed. If there are extra gifts, the committee takes them to homeless shelters so that those children will have a toy on Christmas morning, too.

Our church members have been very generous in their support of the Toy Drive in the past. Many of our children have brought a gift for a less fortunate boy or girl. If you want to bring an unwrapped toy, I will be glad to wrap it for you. Please contribute a toy to this most appreciative church community before December 13.

Thank you, Pat Totzauer 410 938-8699

As you consider final plans for yourself and your family, please remember the Columbarium on the side of our church.

Niches are available for purchase by contacting Judy Hobbs at 410-337-9013.

T O W SO N U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H M I N I S T R Y T E A M

Rev. LaTrelle Easterling, Resident Bishop

Rev. Edwin DeLong, Interim Superintendent, Baltimore Metropolitan District

Carole Dean, TUMC’s Church Lay Leader

Rev. Dr. Roderick J. Miller, Lead Pastor

Rev. Margery Schammel, Assistant Pastor

Rev. Doug Hollida, Minister of Music

HAMPTON LANE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 410–825–0008 cdcdirector@towsonumc.org — Erin Rigley, Center Director

A Ministry of Towson United Methodist Church — Child Care with an approved preschool www.hamptonlanecdc.org

Towson United Methodist Church is a community of Christ-followers growing in love of God and neighbor. This is

what we at Towson UMC believe Christian discipleship is, what we are to be, and what Jesus meant when he sent his

followers to “make disciples”—

We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We commit to Jesus’ example of inclusive

love, care, and intentional hospitality with persons of every race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity,

marital status, faith story, physical or mental ability, economic status, or political perspective. We respect our diversity

of opinion and expressions of faith. Therefore, as God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.

— adopted by the TUMC Church Council February 2, 2015

TOWSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

501 Hampton Lane Towson, Maryland 21286

410-823-6511

towsonumc.org towsonprays.blogspot.com Business hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM