NOVEMBER 2018 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
Those first few cool fronts of the year always prompt us to think ahead to the holidays. My favorite holiday, aside from Christmas and Easter, happens in the month of November, Thanksgiving. It is a time when we can embrace the things that bring a spirit of gratitude.
FALL COLORS AND LIGHTHOUSES OF THE GREAT LAKES Several members of the Senior Adult Ministry took a trip to see the Fall Colors. The trip began in Chicago with a city tour featuring the Sears Tower, Wrigley Building, The Bean and Navy Pier. The group traveled on to Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Museum. From there it was a ferry ride to Mackinac Island for a carriage tour plus lunch at the famous Grand Hotel. Next was Green Bay for a tour of Lambeau Field, home stadium of the Green Bay Packers. We drove through Door County and our final stop was an Upper Dells Boat Cruise.
I have a friend who sees gratitude as an essential life practice. I believe it comes with a traveling companion, the spirit of humility. To be genuinely thankful, we also need to be humble, knowing that we receive our blessings from others, but mostly from God through others. Humility and gratitude pass through our heart and soul together as one. When someone stops you to express their gratitude, you will always see the fingerprints of humility on their lives, and vice versa. We give thanks for our many blessings each day! Our travelers have returned from their fall adventure to Michigan! I know their stories are rich and the memories are cherished. Don’t miss this opportunity to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and take a moment to start planning for the train trip through the Canadian Rockies next summer. It promises to be another outstanding, first-class journey. We will share all the details to help you prepare for next year! Our Senior Adult Ministry shifts into high gear during the holidays. The Goldenaires Choir will be singing holiday favorites all around the area. I hope you will attend some of their performances, so that you can help them in the ministry to those whom they serve. I know the nursing homes would be delighted to have extra guests for their performances.
Arlene Holden on a horse drawn carriage ride on Mackinac Island
Row 1: JoAnn Johnson and Gail Horowitz Row 2: Kay Meador, Brenda McClendon and Karen Engeling Row 3: Helen Burgdorf and Jane Cannon
We also welcome the many new families who have joined our church in the past few months. I invite those who are Senior Adults to join us for our Sunday school classes or at any of our Senior Adult activities and events. You will find a calendar here in this newsletter, but you can also check the church website for more information. We want to roll out the welcome mat to all who come, especially as we approach the holidays. It is a great time to be in ministry together! Grace and peace,
Judy Marshall, JoAnn Johnson, Lana Dillman, Fay Pevey, Kathy Wynns, Lelah Feeley, Judy Bridges, Faye Dillon, Carolyn Lentz and Darlene Daniels
The cheese heads... at Lambeau Field: Kay Meador, Robert O’Brien and Wanda O’Brien
MONDAY
29
5
The Gathering Place 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
12
19
26
SUNDAY
28
4
All Saints Celebration 8:30 a.m. Robb Chapel
11
18
25
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehearsal 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Music Suite
27
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehearsal 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Music Suite
20 Senior Fitness
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. Red Lobster Goldenaires Rehearsal 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Music Suite
13 Senior Fitness
Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall Shepherd Care Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Jones Library
Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
22
Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
15
8
1
THURSDAY
Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
29
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
3
23
16
30 Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
A Glance At Next Month Caring Ministry: Christmas Without Them Sunday, December 16
1 DECEMBER
24
17
10
SATURDAY
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows 11:00 a.m. | Houston Zoo Senior Adult Game Night 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Houston International Quilt Festival George R. Brown Convention Center
9
2
FRIDAY
THE WOODLANDS UMC CLOSED
Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room
Prime Timers Luncheon 11:00 a.m. Asbury Hall (New Location)
Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room
28
21
14
7
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehearsal 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Music Suite Grief Share Seminar: Surviving the Holidays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
6
31
WEDNESDAY
30
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS SMALL GROUPS AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Not meeting in November and December Please join us for an afternoon movie reconvening in January 2019. All senior adults are welcome. LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, November 13 | 11:00 a.m. Each month we meet at a different restaurant for good conversation and Christian fellowship. This month, please join us at Red Lobster — Shenandoah at 18446 Interstate 45 South. Reservations must be made by noon on Monday, November 12. All senior adults are welcome. For more information, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Those who love to knit or crochet are invited to participate. Although most of the hand work will be done at home, 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, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@comcast.net or 281.292.3875 PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON Wednesday, November 7 | 11:00 a.m. | Asbury Hall NOTE: New location. Join us in welcoming Nancy Larkin with SureCare At Home. Nancy will discuss Senior caregiving and the decisions that often have to be made. Reservations are due by noon on Friday, November 2, to Joyce and Ken Nesmith at 281.367.5519. Cost is $7 per person. Checks are preferred payable to TWUMC. ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE We’ll be collecting nonperishable food items for the Interfaith Food Pantry. Bring your donations to Prime Timers. SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, November 9 | 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Games include Mexican train, bridge, hand and foot, and Rummikube. The cost is $1 per person. Everyone is invited. Please bring a snack. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893 SHEPHERD CARE LUNCHEON Thursday, November 8 | 11:30 a.m. Shepherd Care is hosting their Fall Appreciation Luncheon in Jones Library. Dr. Stew Grant will be the speaker at the luncheon. THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, November 5 | 10:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for The Gathering Place. The theme for this month is Autumn! For more information, contact Chuck and Jean Abernathy at 936.449.6450 SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: HELP AND HOPE AS YOU NAVIGATE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON Tuesday, November 6 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. For more information, contact Susan Goldsmith. HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL Friday, November 9 | George R. Brown Convention Center Join for the annual Houston International Quilt Festival. Cost for the quilt show is $30. We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. and gather around 4:00 p.m. to return. For more information or to sign up, contact Helen Burgdorf at 713.822.5728
GOLDENAIRES CHOIR PERFORMANCES Sunday, November 4 | 8:30 a.m. | Chapel Service Thursday, November 8 | 9:00 a.m. | Interfaith Patriotic Breakfast The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. They are scheduled to sing Bound for the Promised Land on November 4 at 8:30 a.m. in Chapel service, as Dr. Robb continues his sermon series on “Moses.” They’re also scheduled to sing on November 8 at 9:00 a.m. at the Interfaith Patriotic Breakfast. It will be held at The South County Community Center. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053 SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us up to twice a week for a muscle toning workout for men and women featuring strength training and some stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Lite body sculpting is an unintimidating, less strenuous class with modifications for any fitness level. Segments include warm-up, strength, stretching and cool-down. There is no charge. Please wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. For more information, please contact Jackie Martini at 281.451.3844 MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesdays, November 14 and 28 | 10:00 a.m. Join us in the Infant Care Room next to the Church Office, for a continuation of The Joy Stealers by Rob Renfroe. The Joy Stealers reminds us that, regardless of our circumstances, Christ provides everything we need for joy. New members are welcome any time. For more information, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, November 20 | 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Bring a brown bag for lunch, we will discuss the book Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Everyone is welcome – men and women! For more information, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Friday, November 9 | 11:00 a.m. | Houston Zoo Registration is required. There will be limited space (15 people) for the Houston Zoo. $20 per person. For more information about Single Life Widows and register for an event at thewoodlandsumc.org/single-life-widows
SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult residences and private residences. New shepherds and new lambs are always welcome. For more information, contact Kay Meador at 936.321.5159 PARKINSON’S DISEASE EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUP Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets every Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall. For more information you may contact Dale Mefford at 936.443.5351 or go to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society’s website. We are in the north group. COMPUTER SUPPORT The computer support ministry is alive and going strong, helping many of our senior adults. If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 or 915.373.3707. Computer tip: If text is too small press CTRL Key + Plus Sign at the same time to zoom in and CTRL Key + Minus Sign at the same time to zoom out.
The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. HOUSTON, TX PERMIT #296
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CRAFT CIRCLE WORKING FOR MISSIONS GALA
An annual event for 38 years, the Masterpiece Gala and Auction will be held this fall at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. The ladies of the Craft Circle have once again created beautifully handcrafted works of art in support of over 100 local, national and international missions programs. The Gala will feature a three-course dinner, silent and live auctions, and a wonderful evening of fellowship. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available. Please register for an unforgettable evening in support of missions. The Gala is Saturday, November 17 at 6:00 pm. Tickets may be purchase online at missions.thewoodlandsumc.org Boutique and Chef Favorites Saturday, November 10 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wesley Hall at The Woodlands UMC Masterpiece Gala and Auction Saturday, November 17 | 6:00 p.m. The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10 Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.