December, 2015
The Crossection
Your Monthly Newsletter From Davis UMC
In This Issue
Quick Links

Need a Directory?
Email or call Anna in the church office ([email protected]; 756-2170) and she can provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the most up-to-date church directory.
Need a Ride?
Need Prayers?
Our prayer chain is a
group of folks who are committed to praying for any need brought to their attention. To request prayers for yourself or someone (or something) you care about, contact coordinator Courtney Diedesch at [email protected]
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for the monthly Crossection newsletter is the 20th of the previous month. Submissions may be edited for clarity, accuracy, or length.


A "LOVE" NOTE... (from your pastor)
heart

We are in the season of Advent -  my second-favorite season in the Christian calendar.

It is only second-favorite because, unlike during Lent, during the season of Advent my desire to sink deep into the reflections and the practices of my faith has to compete with a world clamoring at me to buy, and to cook, to eat and to drink, and to fill my calendar with special celebrations. 

In the face of this, I particularly appreciate quiet reflection and contemplation during this season - and particularly appreciate resources that support that. 

Jan Richardson is a favorite poet and artist of mine. You have probably heard me quote one poem or another of hers in a sermon at some point. For a few years now Jan has been offering a visual image, poem, and reflections for each Sunday in Advent. I recommend them to you for your own reflection and contemplation in this season. You can find them at The Advent Door. (Week 1 is up now - others will follow.)

Whatever it is that nurtures your spirit, may you find time and space in this season to prepare yourself for the One who was born long ago, and who comes anew in every age: Emmanuel. 
 
See you in church!

In Faith,
Pastor Kelly signature
Advent and Christmas at DUMC

Join us for Christmas Eve worship, December 24th at 7:00 and 9:00pm!

Our Advent Theme
In Advent, we anticipate the arrival of the one who is to be born. But what if... What if we broaden our focus beyond the One who is born, to everyone born? Our Advent hymn this year paints a picture of God's vision "for everyone born." (For more on the hymn, see below.) 

Advent is a season of tensions - already and not yet. This year the focus is on the tension between waiting and not waiting. We do look for God to arrive. But this is not an invitation to passivity. We too play our part in the work of salvation. Each week we will explore some aspect of this tension, as we continue our steady journey toward Christmas.

Each year the scriptures in the season of Advent convey a sense of upheaval - a sense that the world is a mess, that we need God's help, and that God does show up to help - God somehow arrives in our midst. So what is Emmanuel's invitation to us - knowing that Emmanuel means "God-with-us"? The refrain to our Advent hymn, "For Everyone Born," says: "And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace."


Davis UMC
 Christmas Band
Every year, DUMC has a Christmas band that plays at the early Christmas Eve Service.  All muscians are welcome to join.  If you are interested or would like to find out more, contact Stan Johnson at [email protected]
 

"Blue Christmas"
Dec. 20th, 7:00 pm
DUMC Sanctuary

"Blue Christmas" is a simple, quiet service for those who are feeling less than merry as Christmas approaches.  The "Blue Christmas" service offers a message of comfort and hope to help us through times of struggle during the holidays. Read More



Staff Christmas Gifts
An Advent tradition at DUMC is to show our appreciation for staff by presenting them with a cash gift.  This  "thank-you" is sweetened by the fact that each person chips in to create the gift, making it truly from our Church Community. Read More


"For Everyone
 Born" - Our Advent Hymn
Historical Notes by Kathy Schinski


Each Sunday of Advent, during the church services, we are singing the hymn alternately titled "For Everyone Born," or "A Place At The Table," written in 1998 by Shirley Erena Murray. In this hymn, she presents a Christian equivalent to "The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights" drafted by the UN General Council. Read More

Pathway Update 

Things are really gaining momentum again in DUMC's "Pathway" process!

The Guiding Team will be taking an implementation proposal to the Church Council at the Council's December 16th meeting. (Remember, Church Council meetings are always open to all!) Once this proposal is solidified, you can look forward to the development of significant, concrete initiatives early in the new year which will guide our work together as a congregation for 2016 (and likely beyond).

After a year of work on "experiments," taking place in "theme teams," the Guiding Team has assessed the process and progress in a number of ways this fall, with regular reports to the Church Council. We have learned some things, and have struggled with aspects of the process. Our reflection and assessment is taking us in some new directions. One exciting result of the process to date has been a clear picture of the areas of cohesion at DUMC. We really do have a shared sense of the heart of who we are and what we do! 

Please watch for announcements and newsletter articles explaining upcoming steps and inviting your participation in this next phase. 

Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter 
Dec. 13th-19th 

This year, DUMC is hosting the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter December 13th - 19th and we will need lots of help preparing meals, driving guests, doing overnights, and more.   Please volunteer on the sign-up sheets in Fellowship Hall beginning November 1st.  For more information, contact Rita Lundin at [email protected].

Adult Sunday School
Meets between services on Sundays
9:45-10:45 pm

Adult Bible Study - Rothe Room

December 6th    The Lord's Day
December 13th  Acceptable Offering
December 20th  Dedication of Firstborn
December 27th  A Generous Gift

Contemporary Issues Form - Walker Room

December 6th:  Volunteer Orientation for Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter (IRWS)

With Rita Lundin, DUMC Shelter Coordinator
IRWS is an annual program involving many faith communities in Davis.  Our church will be hosting the shelter from December 13-20.   We will discuss changes in the program this year and address any questions from volunteers.  

December 13th: The Syrian Refugee Crisis:  A report from the Croatian-Slovenian border with Julia Newcomb and Michael Rooke-Ley

The Syrian war and the instability in the Middle East have created the largest refugee migration since the end of World War II.  Julia and Michael have just returned from several weeks in Croatia, including one day at the refugee transfer point on the Slovenian border, and will share their observations.  Sacramento is one of the main resettlement areas for Syrian refugees in California.  What can we do to help in this humanitarian crisis?  Come join this discussion.

December 20th:
TBA

December 27th:
No Forum

Children's Sunday School Schedule
and Announcements

Dec. 13th
Topic:
Godly Play "Advent III"
Pre-K - K: Sarah Williams and Bria Stevens
1st - 6th Grade:
Dori Marshall and Ann Dillner

Dec. 20th
Topic:
Godly Play "Advent IV"
Pre-K - K:
Alice Harvey and Bria Stevens
1st - 6th Grade:
John Uhte and Caroline Chantry

Dec. 27thTopic:
Godly Play "The Mystery of Christmas"
Pre-K - K: TBD
1st - 6th Grade:
John Uhte


New Children's Ministries Coordinator
Jeri Viera Dahlke has a passion for facilitating high participation gatherings. She brings a lot of experience facilitating people's relationships with God and with one another. Read More
Phone/msg/text: (916) 947-1102



Holy Conversations, Holy Tugs: Reflections on Godly Play
On any Sunday in a Godly Play classroom, you might find: 
Eyes filled with wonder. "Plus" became a "cross." Marked the days. Wrote down Solomon's prayer of dedication. Helped others. Prayed. Shared a feast. Read More


Colorful "Giving Thanks" Pew Cards
"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is 'Thank you,' it will be enough." Expressing our gratitude to God is a basic prayer practice. Read More


December 20th Special Offering:
Davis Community Meals and Habitat for Humanity International
 
As Mary and Joseph sought shelter in a manger, many in our community seek shelter today.  This month, our special offering benefits one local and one international organization that serve those struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity. Read More

From Your Finance Ministry

OCTOBER ACTUAL
YEAR TO DATE ACTUAL
INCOME
38,724.41280,846.01
EXPENSE24,024.38256,696.77
NET14,700.0324,149.24


Year-End Giving

In order to comply with IRS guidelines regarding year-end giving, all donations must either be received in person by December 31st or postmarked by December 31st if mailed

For mail-in donations received on or after December 31st, the envelopes will be retained in order to confirm that the donations were postmarked by December 31st.  Financial Secretaries will verify the postmark dates and will retain the envelopes with the Income Statement files in the church office.  If you are working with a banking or other financial institution to make your donation, you must ensure that the institution can provide the December 31st postmark.

For drop-in donations, staff will be available on Thursday, Dec 31st until 12:00 pm to accept your walk-in donations for 2015.



"Almost Like Mom's" 
Finals Care Packages, December 5th

We need lots of homemade cookies to put in the next batch of "Almost Like Mom's Finals Care Packages." We need them on Saturday, December 5th. Going to be gone that weekend? No problem. You can bake them ahead, put them in ziplock bags, label them and put them in the church freezer. We could also use some oranges, and/or money to help buy the other goodies we put in the care packages.  Willing to help with this important outreach to college students? Please e-mail Beth Flory at [email protected] or call her at (530) 756-2617.

Grace Garden Monthly Update

Fall is here!  The nights are cooler and the leaves are turning buttery yellow, copper and burnt red. And we've had that watery stuff falling from the sky. I think it's called rain, if I remember correctly.
Staff Bios: Meet Alice Harvey

Our Staff Parish Relations Committee thinks that the congregation would benefit from knowing our staff better.  This is the third installment of an occasional series of articles about our staff, and it focuses on Alice Harvey, our lead child care attendant.  Read More


Feed the Hungry (Students)

CA House is looking for a few people to support our Monday night Christian worship ministry by helping with food.  We offer a students a hybrid worship/bible study every Monday night when school is in session, and the event concludes with breaking bread together.  We are looking to provide a mix of vegan and regular main course options each week, along with a side vegetable dish or salad.  We are hoping to get support from our partner churches each once a month, and are asking for help from DUMC on the third Monday of each month.  If you would be willing to help by providing a single dish or a whole meal every month or two, please contact Jake Whittaker ([email protected] or 753-2000).

 
December Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays
 
Dec. 2nd
Alice Lakin
Dec. 4th
Helen Roland
Dec. 5th
Mitch Finklang 
Dec. 5th
Josh Hull
Dec. 5th
Eileen Tutt
Dec. 6th
Robin Johnson
Dec. 9th
David Achimore
Dec. 12th
Lupe Sharp
Dec. 13th
Kim Coontz
Dec. 20th
Molly Williams
Dec. 23rd 
Millie Smith 
Dec. 24th 
Jim Tischer 
Dec. 25th 
Caroline Chantry 
Dec. 28th 
Cynthia Casteel 
Dec. 30th 
Evan Wise 
 


Anniversaries 
Dec. 14th 
Kelly Wilkerson and Vince Sturla
Dec. 17th
Celeste and John Cron
Dec. 31st
Estell and John Jones

 
The Davis Chorale Celebrates the Season with Song and Dance 
 
To celebrate the holiday season with song, dance, pipes, and children's voices, the Davis Chorale under the direction of Allison Skinner, augmented by the Davis Children's Chorale and The Applegate Dance Studio, performs A Day of Dancing on December 12th at Davis High School's Brunelle Hall.  The concert can be heard in a short family-oriented version at 3 pm and as a full-length program at 7 pm.   

Tickets can be purchased from Chorale Members, Watermelon Music on E Street in Davis and at the door.  3 pm concert tickets cost: students $5, general $8, priority $10 and family $15.  7 pm tickets cost: students $10, general $15, priority $20 and family $30.  For more information, please consult www.davischorale.org.