JANUARY 2021 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT PASS IT BACK THIS CHRISTMAS In college, the students had a tradition of “passing it back” during the football games which meant making the sign for the yell (or cheer) with your hands so that everyone could see it. Once you saw the sign, you’d make the same sign and so on until everyone knew what the next yell was going to be. Passing it back helped us remember that we were connected and celebrate what we shared in common. This Christmas season is a great time to be intentional about passing back a sign of hope. Of all the possessions we have to share with our friends and family, it’s our faith in a Savior that is most precious. It is the hope we have in Christ that helps us face whatever darkness is in front of us. It is the hope in Emmanuel (God with us) that reminds us that we are connected as a family of faith. I’ll be honest with you, some days I’ve had to search a little harder than others for hope, but my signs have often come from many of you. While I have had the privilege of teaching Radiant Bible study for about six years, I was not sure what we were going to do when COVID hit. How could we possibly have Bible study when we couldn’t be in person? But the hope that I experienced by seeing so many people tackle the technology world was incredible! I saw people learn skills they never planned to learn and then invite friends and family to join them. You didn’t let our circumstances keep you from sharing God’s Word, your prayers, and your smiles! There may be many things that we cannot share because of the pandemic our world is facing, but there is certainly one thing that we can pass back…and it’s hope! “Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” (1 Peter 1:13) Would you pass back a sign of hope to someone today?
A MESSAGE FROM
LEE BREWER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
2021! I don’t think there has been a new year that I have looked forward to as much as this one! Surely, in the Lord’s mercy, this has got to be a much better year! Can I get an “Amen”? One of the things that comes along with a new year are New Year’s resolutions. However, let me shed some light on this practice. Forty-five percent of Americans usually set New Year’s Resolutions; seventeen percent infrequently set resolutions; thirty-eight percent never set resolutions. Eight percent are always successful in achieving their resolutions; nineteen percent achieve their resolutions every other year; fortynine percent have infrequent success; twenty-four percent (one in four) never succeed and have failed on every resolution every year. The younger you are, the more likely you are to achieve your resolutions (thirty-nine percent of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year, while less than fifteen percent of those over fifty achieve their resolutions every year or every other year). So, with those happy statistics in place, let me share one more: there is NO correlation between happiness and keeping New Year’s resolutions! People who make and keep resolutions are not better off than those who do not, which is especially good news to those of us in the less successful over fifty group, isn’t it?
Susan Kent
Instead of resolutions, we can be people who live into the reality that God has already given us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17). As 2021 brings new and better things, remember that we are already new and the Lord is faithful to walk with us every step of the way. Rejoicing in newness!
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY!
Lee
DECEMBER 2020 PRIME TIMERS LUNCH Prime Timers welcomed actress, Mary Margaret Mann. Mary Margaret Mann presented “His Majesty and the Magi”.
Beth Northrup
Terry Northrup
Dick Olson & Gin Meinhardt
Gay & Deryl Lindner w Lee Brewer
Helen Burgdorf
Linda Morrill
Jim Anderson
Mary Margaret Mann
Mary Margaret Mann
Nancy Steinmeier
Olin Johnson
Scott Bucker
PERSPECTIVES CLASS Citizen’s Grill Patio - Juliet’s Luncheon
THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS
WOODFOREST CAMPUS
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB January 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Via Zoom On January 4th at 7:00 p.m. The Camera Club is hosting a wonderful speaker from Canada, Rick Hulbert. And what an appropriate wintery place he will be talking about - “Antarctica: Photography Outside of Your Comfort Zone!” This meeting will be via Zoom, so pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, bundle up in a warm blanket, and join us for this wonderful presentation! Remember that all six SIGs will be in full instructional swing in January, so there is no reason at all to be bored when you become a part of the Camera Club! The link to this Zoom meeting is always in our monthly newsletter, or you can email us for information at info@TheWoodlandsCameraClub.org
*NEW* WOODFOREST LUNCH BUNCH January 14 | 11:30 a.m. | Citizen’s Grill Join us for a lunch at Citizen’s Grill on FM1488 at Old Conroe Road. We have reserved a space on the patio. Deadline for placing an order is Monday, January 11. Please email Teri Rossi at trossi@twumc.org to sign up for this event. Face masks and social distancing encouraged.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING January 12 | 2:00 p.m. | Via Zoom Join us for virtual fellowship! Zoom details shared via email. Those who love to knit, or crochet 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. For more information on this ministry, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@comcast.net or 281.292.3875 PASTOR LED LUNCHTIME SERIES WITH DR. LEE A. BREWER Wednesdays, starting January 13 | Noon | Hybrid Option Save the date for a second installment of Dr. Brewer’s noontime study. We are continuing with a study of the specific history of the Christian faith as it developed from the early church to our current United Methodist understanding of the Christian faith and life. We are offering a hybrid option. If you would like to join Dr. Brewer in the classroom or online, please register at www.thewoodlandsumc.org/senior-adult
FUTURE EVENTS PRIME TIMERS Meets the first Wednesday of each month Prime Timers is taking a break until March. Stay-tuned for new programming. SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Main Campus Aldersgate Hall This group is taking a break and will reconvene in the spring. For more information, contact Linda Henderson at 936.273.3167 or Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012 LUNCH BUNCH Second Tuesday of each month | 11:00 a.m. | Main Campus This group is taking a break! Stay-tuned for future gatherings! All senior adults are welcome to join us for this time of food, fun and fellowship! For more information about this group, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062
FUTURE EVENTS SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Fourth Friday of each month | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Woodforest Campus Worship Center This group is taking a break and will reconvene in the spring. Join us for Senior Adult Game Night in Woodforest! Let’s play Mexican Train, Hand and Foot, Scrabble, Bridge or 42 together! Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you! Bring a dish to share! The cost for this event is $1 per person. All senior adults are welcome! No registration required. For more information, contact Teri Rossi at trossi@twumc.org
SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE MINISTRY Our Shepherds were busy in December delivering poinsettias to our Lambs. Thank you to those who helped brighten their day! Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult, and private residences. New Shepherds and new Lambs are always welcome. If you know of someone in need of companionship or if you would like to volunteer to be a Shepherd, please contact Kay Meador at 936.321.5159 COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY Computer Tip: Choose strong passwords. For every website or account with a login, choose a unique password that only you would know. For a stronger password include special characters and symbols. If you need computer assistance or assistance with Zoom, please call Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 ELDERRIDE MINISTRY This group is taking a break and will reconvene in 2021. 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. ElderRide supports The Woodlands and our Woodforest neighbors! Please call at least 48 hours in advance. PARKINSON’S DISEASE EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUP This group is taking a break and will reconvene in 2021. For more information contact HAPS’ at www.hapsonline.org. Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets Thursdays at 1:30 pm 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.
SMALL GROUPS Our small groups are re-opening with COVID-19 protocols in place. We hope you will join us if you feel safe. Check out our hybrid options in many groups.
THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS
WOODFOREST CAMPUS PICKLEBALL This group will reconvene soon! Stay-tuned. 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. This game will be played indoors, with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The game is played as doubles or singles. No registration required.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Friday, January 15 | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group will be led by Dr. Lee Brewer. No registration needed.
WOODFOREST BOOK CLUB January 21 | 11:30 a.m. | Woodforest Classroom Let’s meet for lunch and a book review! Join us in reviewing Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. If you would like to read ahead, in February we will review Redeeming Love by Francine River. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067
THE GATHERING PLACE Meets the first Monday of each month Gathering Place will not be meeting in January. We will see you next month. For more information about this program, contact Pam Baker 832.381.4514
*NEW* SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. | Woodforest Gymnasium For more information, please refer to the same listing under The Woodlands Campus. Please note the Woodforest class is a face-to-face class only.
MEN’S BOOK STUDY January 13 and 27 | 10:00 a.m. | Via Zoom We are studying Max Lucado’s book “Out Live Your Life.” Come join us in this discussion of the book along with a short DVD by the author. It’s not enough for you to do well. You want to do good. You want your life to matter. You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did. But, how can you? How can I? Can God use us? For more information about this group, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 *NEW* HYBRID SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Senior Adult Intermediate Fitness Mondays | 9:00 a.m. | Rec Center Activity Room 1 Senior Adult Basic Fitness Wednesdays and Fridays | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Woodforest Senior Adult Basic Fitness Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium Continue your health and wellness journey by joining us for a hybrid senior adult fitness class. The hybrid class will follow all CDC guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please wear a mask upon entry to the building, during exercise the mask may be removed. Hand sanitizer stations will be available upon entry to the building. Equipment will be sanitized between classes. Registration is required to secure a “face to face” spot. Our online class via Zoom will meet the same time as the face to face classes. Zoom Meeting ID: 735 678 773 | Password: SFIT *NEW* PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB January 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Let’s meet in January to discuss Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. If you would like to read ahead, in February we will review 1776 by David Mccullough. Bring your sack lunch and join in for a lively discussion. Men and Women are welcome. For more information about Peggy’s Book Club, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 or Kathy Wisenbaker at wisenbaker@ sbcglobal.net GOLDENAIRES CHOIR This group is taking a break and will reconvene in 2021. 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 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS This group is taking a break. Stay-tuned for future activities! This group is designed to offer support and create fellowship, as we discover new ways of doing life alone. For more information, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932
JANUARY 2021
*Green text represents events at The Woodlands Campus and blue text represents events at the Woodforest Campus
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
MONDAY 28
TUESDAY 29
WEDNESDAY 30
THURSDAY 31
FRIDAY 1
SATURDAY 2
Happy New Year! Campus Closed
3
4 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. Rec Center, Activity room 1 The Woodlands Camera Club 7:00 p.m. | Zoom
10
11 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. Rec Center, Activity room 1
17
18 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. Rec Center, Activity room 1
24
31
25 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. Rec Center, Activity room 1
5 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium
12 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium Peggy’s Book Club 11:30 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Prayer Shawl Ministry 2:00 p.m. via Zoom
19 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium
26 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium
6 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
13 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Men’s Book Study Group 10:00 a.m. via Zoom Pastor Led Lunchtime Series Noon | Hybrid
20 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Pastor Led Lunchtime Series Noon | Hybrid
27 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Men’s Book Study Group 10:00 a.m. via Zoom Pastor Led Lunchtime Series Noon | Hybrid
7 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium
14 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium WF Lunch Bunch 11:30 a.m. | Citizen’s Grill
21 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium WF Book Club 11:30 a.m. | WF Classroom
28 WF Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium
8
9
Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
15
16
Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor
22
23
Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
29 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
30
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/senior-adults Contact us at 281.297.5935 or seniors@twumc.org Like us on Facebook
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?
RESOURCE CORNER
“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)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” — Galatians: 6:10
BREAKFAST IN THE PARK Saturday, January 2, 2021 | 9:15 a.m. | Lewis Park We prepare and serve breakfast to those without homes in a park located in downtown Conroe. Those preparing food will be asked to drop off their items at the Loft on Saturday morning. The food will be transported up to Conroe where it will be distributed to the homeless. We will also need five volunteers to participate in the serving. These volunteers will arrive at 9:15 a.m. Register to prepare food or to serve the food at thewoodlandsumc.org/senior-adults
CARING MINISTRY We truly seek to be the body of Christ at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, and to live that out in word and deed. As a Pastoral Care team we are here for you when you may need prayer, support, counseling, or a listening ear. Please feel free and welcome to contact us.
SOCIETY OF ST. STEPHEN The church provides financial assistance to needy families in our congregation and the South Montgomery County area. If you would like to help with a special donation and provide much-needed assistance with food, clothing, rent and/or utility bills, please contact the church regarding a designated offering to this ministry. Find more information at thewoodlandsumc.org/give
Dr. Lee A. Brewer Pastor of Caring Ministry and Senior Adult Ministry 281.297.5900 lbrewer@twumc.org
Check out other ways to serve our community at thewoodlandsumc.org or for more information, contact Sherry Lewallen at 281.466.8627.
Teri Rossi Senior Adult Ministry Administrative Assistant 281.297-5935 trossi@twumc.org
Rev. Joy Johnston Pastor of Caring Ministry and Special Needs Ministry 281.297.5900 jjohnston@twumc.org
Susan Goldsmith Caring Ministry Administrative Assistant 281.297.5953 sgoldsmith@twumc.org
Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.