FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT MARRIAGE IS THE BUILDING BLOCK OF SOCIETY I will be honest. I love YouTube instruction videos on how to fix my car. Most of the time they tell me I am in too deep to even try. But I still love them. Sometimes they make the work look easy. Experience, expertise, and routine make it look easy. The truth is more systemic. Hard work, trial and error, and persistence gives the illusion of easy. The world wants the easy way of believing, the easy way to doing, the easy way of fixing. Easy is an illusion. Marriage is not easy—it is not supposed to be. Marriage is often difficult. Why? Perhaps from the beginning, God wanted us to be on a journey toward a holy, healthy, functional relationship. In our sin nature (Rom. 7), we are not so good at that. Our sin natures are selfish and self-centered and therefore at odds with the design of marriage, which is supposed to be a mutually beneficial, self-sacrificing relationship. Marriage is the building block of societies. But it is virtually ignored as such in culture and media. Statistically, married couples are now the minority in America. Divorce is too easy. And children from broken families want to avoid the pain of divorce so much they are not getting married. This huge relational epidemic has been silently eroding our country from within. The real victims of this melee are the children of failed marriages. So let us work together for them. After all, we Methodists do know how to work. We ignore political king of the mountain games. We never back down from working for our kids and our grandkids. They are the future church. They need to see the best models of marriage we can offer. So I believe in working diligently on this issue. The key to marital fulfillment is still Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (NLT). As a church I believe that: 1. Marriage is designed for us to grow personally, relationally, and in the ways that lead to holiness of heart and life. 2. The best environment and family system for a child to grow up is still the home where both the father and mother are present in a healthy marriage. 3. Marriage ministries is comprehensive, complementary, and the secret way to grow a church. 4. The church is the best place to teach about marriage. I am not a debater. Instead, I want to work on building good marriages within the walls of our church and offer our biblical model of marriage to those outside our church. In the coming year, we need testimonies of couples who have a great marriage. We need married couples to mentor younger couples. And we will continue to offer help through our Re|engage programming and counseling to those inside and outside the church from some of the best in the area to help married couples.
A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
It’s that time of year again. My mailbox is overflowing with seed catalogues from all around the country. The time has come to make plans for the next expansion of the orchard, time to plant seeds in the old greenhouse standing between the long, lonely shadows of the winter gardens, patiently waiting for the last threat of frost to pass. There is a game plan for the garden. It reminds me of those Parables in the Gospels where Jesus used the agrarian life to illustrate deeper truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. In that regard, I have always been drawn to the Parable of the Sower in Matthew’s Gospel. It opens with the best advice we can possibly hear. Jesus had been busy about doing ministry among the people. Pharisees and teachers of the law asked for a sign, and their confrontational attitudes continued to escalate. Even his mother and brothers came, wanting to “speak” with him. In the Gospel of Mark, his family wondered if he had “lost his mind.” (3:21). How could he possibly do the miracles they witnessed? Matthew writes, “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.” (13:1). Sounds like good advice. Rather than jump through hoops, like his detractors were demanding, Jesus found a quiet place to rest. The crowds persistently followed, and he continued to teach in parables. In the case of the sower, he even took time to explain what the images he described would mean for those who listened. The parable was literally about seeds, and soils and a sower, but Jesus was teaching a deeper truth about the Kingdom of God for those who might see and hear with spiritual discernment. My prayer is that we will see and hear the truth of God more clearly. May our spiritual yield be measured in multiples of 30, 60 or one hundred times what we sow. Sometimes, when life is hectic and the pressure to perform becomes overwhelming, we simply need to get out of the house and sit by the lake. Easy is better. May God give us peace, and may our hope always rest securely in Christ. With grace,
Dr. Stew Grant, Pastor of Marriage and Family Ministries Cliff Ritter
NEW YORK CITY HOLIDAY TRIP In December, thirty members of the Senior Adult Ministry took a trip to New York City to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations. We toured Manhattan visiting Rockefeller Plaza; St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trump Tower and took a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. That evening we saw a Broadway show – Phantom of the Opera. We visited the new One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. We took a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Our last evening there we saw the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Holiday Show.
Dee Morgan at One World Observatory
Radio City Hall
Marilyn Clinton
New York Skyline
Statue of Liberty
Macy’s
Carl and Connie Cooper
Martha Taylor and Helen Burgdorf at Central Park
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
New York View
Macy’s
Statue of Atlas
FRIENDSHIP CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY The Friendship Class Christmas Party enjoyed fun and fellowship!
Jim Anderson, Carolyn Lentz and Darlene Daniels
June Green, Ann Armstrong and Wilda Brunson
Gin Meinhardt
Beth & Terry Northrup
Linda Owen
Bob Schulz
Bill & Barbara Scott
Alice & Mike Widmier
UPCOMING EVENTS THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS PRACTIQUEMOS – LET’S PRACTICE SPANISH First and Third Monday’s beginning Monday, February 3 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Jones Library Let’s have some fun practicing Spanish with native Spanish speakers! This is a six-week session. Join Gloria Toro and MariCarmen Osawa in practicing basic Spanish. We’ll cover topics such as family, travel, food and helpers around the house. PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON Wednesday, February 5 | 11:15 a.m. | Asbury Hall Join us in welcoming Glennie Scott! Glennie is a Houston favorite pianist and singer. She brings warmth and light to every song. You won’t want to miss her performance. Cost is $7 per person. Reservations are due by noon on on Friday, January 31 to Ken and Joyce Nesmith at 281.367.5519 SHEPHERD CARE QUARTERLY MEETING Thursday, February 13 | 2:00 p.m. | Jones Library Join us for our quarterly meeting. Our speaker is Gary Eubank, R.N. Gary was the Chief Nursing Officer for UTMB which managed the Texas Prison System. Gary is on our Pastoral Care team, he visits our members in hospitals and nursing homes. You will not want to miss his testimony. SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, February 14 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Our favorites are Mexican Train and Bridge, but we also offer Bunco, Parcheesi and Backgammon! The cost is $1 per person. Please bring a snack to share. All senior adults are welcome. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012 LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, February 11 | 11:00 a.m. | Main Campus Join us at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen located at 18165 S I-45 Frontage Rd, in Shenandoah. All senior adults are welcome to join us for this time of food, fun and fellowship! Reservations are due by noon on Monday, February 10 by calling Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062 SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 2020 ASTROS OUTINGS Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, July 9 | 7:10 p.m. Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Wednesday, August 19 | 1:10 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in May. Stay tuned for more details.
WOODFOREST CAMPUS SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, February 14 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Woodforest Campus Join us for Senior Adult Game Night in Woodforest! Let’s play Mexican Train together. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you. The cost for this event is $1 per person to help pay for refreshments. All senior adults are welcome. No registration required. For more information, contact Teresa Thomas at 936.648.3340 LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, February 11 | 10:45 a.m. | Woodforest Campus Join us for our first Woodforest Senior Adult Lunch Bunch gathering! We’ll be carpooling from the Woodforest Church parking lot and headed to the Citizen’s Café, located on FM1488 at Old Conroe Road across from the Del Webb neighborhood (315 Enclave Drive Suite 300). All senior adults are welcome. Reservations are due by noon on Friday, February 7 by calling Ann Horton at 936.588.1663 or email wyanhorton@gmail.com CRIGHTON THEATRE OUTING Sunday, March 1 | 2:00 p.m. Join us for a theatre and dinner outing hosted by our Woodforest Lunch Bunch group. Thoroughly Modern Millie will take you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City. This award-winning musical is filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon lady of a villainess that audiences will love to despise. We hope you’ll join us for dinner at the Pacific Yard House restaurant after the show! The cost of this outing is $19 per person for the theatre ticket, dinner is a dutch treat. Tickets will be on sale between January 26th and February 14th. Registration online is required. For additional information contact, Ann Horton at 936.588.1663
SUPPORT COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 ELDERRIDE We are so grateful for our ElderRide ministry! Our ElderRide team drives our members to over 125 appointments per year. The total mileage driven is about 4000 miles per year. Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. Please call at least 48 hours in advance. PARKINSON’S DISEASE EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUP Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall. For more information, contact Dale Mefford at 936.443.5351, or go to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society’s website. We are in the north group.
GOOD NEWS CLASS Robbie McCracken hosted the ladies from the Good News Class for an ornament exchange party.
Carla Burchard giving devotional
Dianna Ashman and Robbie McCracken
Judy Marshall and Kathryne Buckley
Wanda O’Brien with her ornament
SMALL GROUPS THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Friday, February 7 and 21 | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group is led by Rev. Cliff Ritter and Michelle DeCantillon. THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB Monday, February 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for our monthly meeting and fellowship. We welcome all ages and all skill levels! For more information, contact Jean Drummond at 281.467.8817 or thewoodlandscameraclub.org GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Music Suite The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. No audition is required. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053 GOLDENAIRES CHRISTMAS PARTY The Woodlands High Chamber Singers under the direction of Patrick Newcomb performed at the Goldenaires Christmas party!
MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesday, February 12 and 26 | 10:00 a.m. Infant Courtesy Room D105 The Men’s Book Study is working through a study of The Wesleyan Way by Bishop Scott Jones. In this exciting and inspiring study, Bishop Jones helps seekers and believers to envision and practice discipleship as a way of life. Presenting Christianity from a Wesleyan perspective, he invites participants into a deeper, more thoughtful, more active commitment to Christ. For more information, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Those who love to crochet or knit are invited to participate! Hand work may be done at home, and we will meet occasionally for fellowship and to pray for the recipients of our shawls. Shawls will be given in faith, hope and love to those in need. Our next meeting is April 3, 2020. For more information on this ministry, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@ comcast.net or 281.292.3875 In December, our Prayer Shawl Ministry met for a time of fellowship. This special group of women have provided our church with many, many beautiful shawls and prayer blankets to be given to those in need.
First row L to R: JoAnn Johnson, Ann Fischer, Sandra Moore, Ann Armstrong and Nancy Steinmeier Second row L to R: Stephanie Brassovan, Marie Hartman, Penny Brown, Connie Norton, Lillian McBride, Patsy Tarvin and Rev. Cliff Ritter
THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, February 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall The Gathering Place is for adults who have been diagnosed with early to moderate dementia. The theme for this month is “Valentine’s Day.” For more information about this program, contact Pam Baker at 832.381.4514 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall SENIOR ADULT FITNESS INTERMEDIATE CLASS Thursdays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Rec Center Activity Room 1 Join us for muscle toning, strength training and stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Segments include warmup, strength training, stretching and cool-down. Modifications can be made for any fitness level. MENS (OVER 55) PICK-UP BASKETBALL Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Gymnasium Join us for pick-up basketball, friendly competition and great exercise! No registration required. PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, February 18 | 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Bring your sack lunch and join us for our monthly book review. This month we are reviewing Beantown Girls by Jane Healey. If you would like to read ahead, next month is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. For more information about this group, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Friday, February 7 | Valentine’s Day Luncheon Friday, February 28 | Brunch at Le Madeleine’s Restaurant This group is designed to offer support and create fellowship, as we discover new ways of doing life alone. We hope you’ll join us on February 7 for our Valentine’s Day Luncheon and on February 28 for brunch at a local restaurant! Register for these events online. For more information, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932 SINGLE SIXTY-SOMETHINGS Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m. | Room D207 This group consists of men and women eager to grow. We meet every Tuesday to grow spiritually through studying great books and enjoying lively discussions. We get together socially once a month which allows us time to learn more about each other. Watch the calendar for our scheduled events.
WOODFOREST CAMPUS PICKLEBALL Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Gymnasium Join us for Pickleball! Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn. No registration required. CRAFT CIRCLE Second and Fourth Thursday | 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Gymnasium We welcome all who have creative skills or no skills to join us in sewing, knitting, painting, crafting and holiday cheer to create beautiful works to sell at our Craft Circle Boutique. Times are flexible, bring a sack lunch or a snack. For more information contact, Arlene Seekatz at 936.588.3929 BOOK CLUB Thursday, February 20 | 12:30 p.m. | Classroom Join us for our monthly book club meeting. Bring your sack lunch to review our selected book. Stay tuned for our book choices. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS *Mondays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Gymnasium Wednesdays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Gymnasium For more information, please refer to the same listing under The Woodlands Campus. *Additional meeting day.
FEBRUARY 2020
*Green text represents events at The Woodlands Campus and blue text represents events at the Woodforest Campus
SUNDAY
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Friendship Class 9:30 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Bring Mana items
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WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium The Gathering Place 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall PRACTIQUEMOS 10:00 a.m. | Jones Library The Woodlands Camera Club 7:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall
10 WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium
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17 WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium PRACTIQUEMOS 10:00 a.m. | Jones Library
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24 WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium
Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
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Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch (Woodlands) Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Lunch Bunch (Woodforest) Citizen’s Cafe Friendship Class 3:00 p.m. | Jones Library Fill mana bags
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WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium Prime Timers 11:15 a.m. | Asbury Hall
12 WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium Men’s Book Study 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. Infant Care Room
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Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall
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WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium
26 Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
WF Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. WF Gymnasium Men’s Book Study 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. Infant Care Room
Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Rec Center Activity Room 1
Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor Single Life Widows Valentine’s Day Luncheon
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Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Rec Center Activity Room 1 Shepherd Care Quarterly Meeting 2:00 p.m. | Jones Library Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Rec Center Activity Room 1 WF Book Club 12:30 p.m. | WF Classroom
27 Pickleball 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. WF Gymnasium Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Rec Center Activity Room 1
Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Senior Adult Game Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall Senior Adult Game Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. WF Campus
Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor
28 Senior Adult Fitness 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows Le Madeleine’s Restaurant
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CAMPUS MAPS
ABOUT OUR MINISTRY THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS
THE WOODLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77380
CONROE
Find more information at thewoodlandsumc.org/seniors Contact us at 281.297.5935 or seniors@twumc.org
The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380
WOODFOREST CAMPUS THE CHURCH AT WOODFOREST
The Senior Adult Ministry at The Woodlands United Methodist Church is a vital part of our church, with new and expanding opportunities for involvement.
105 2854
700 Fish Creek Thoroughfare Montgomery, TX 77316
I-45
1488
HOW WILL YOU SERVE? “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES WOMEN’S SHELTER WORK DAY Saturday, February 8 | Meet at the Loft at 7:45 a.m. Help with various projects at the Women’s Shelter such as cooking meals, maintenance and cleaning. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and have completed a background check.
A GLANCE AT NEXT MONTH (MARCH) For the Love of Piano Music March 27 Lunch and Learn with a Master Gardner March 30
BACKPACK BUDDIES Saturday, February 15 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon | Montgomery County Food Bank We partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank to pack weekend meals to distribute to elementary children. This is a family-friendly opportunity. Sign up for these events at missions.thewoodlandsumc.org or for more information, contact Sherry Lewallen at 281.466.8627
RESOURCE CORNER CARING MINISTRY HOSPITAL VISITATION & PRAYER Congregational care is a priority for our pastors, leaders and congregation. Care may come in the form of a visit while you are in the hospital, at home while you are caring for a loved one, or a phone call to offer support. If you or someone you know is hospitalized locally or at the Texas Medical Center, please call Caring Ministries at 281.297.5953 and we will schedule pastoral visitation.
Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.