January 2020 Newsletter

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January 2020 Our Mission: To fulfill our call to be the physical presence of Jesus Christ... by worshipping God with passion, intentionally growing in faith, proclaiming the gospel with grace, and humbly serving in love.

Contents: Page 1:

January Special Events

Page 2:

Monthly Reflections

Page 3:

Adult Ministries

Page 4:

Adult Ministries

Page 5:

Adult Ministries

Page 6:

Missions

Page 7:

Pastoral Care

Page 8:

Youth Ministry

Page 9:

WCA & WCP

Page 10: Childrens Ministry Page 11: Announcements Page 12: Church Information

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Adult Fellowship (F4) Night Saturday, January 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Weddington Campus Hemby House and Children's Wing Join your church friends - new and old - for a fun evening of fellowship on January 4, 2020.

Drop off your children in the Children’s Wing between 5:15-5:30 p.m. where they will enjoy a pizza dinner and fun. After dropping off your children, head over to the Hemby House for dinner, fun and games, and fellowship between 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share for dinner and invite your friends to join us!

Sign up on the website via SignUp Genius to let us know the dish you’ll be bringing and to register for childcare. The registration deadline is December 30 so we have an accurate count for childcare. If there are any questions, please contact Misty Baratta at Weddington UMC Women's Ministry mistyhoover@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing everyone to kick off 2020! invites you to

Women's Praise & Worship Night Friday, January 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Weddington Campus Sanctuary & Helms Hall

WOMEN'S PRAISE & WORSHIP NIGHT

The Women’s Ministry team invites all women to start the new year focused on scripture, praise, BE THOU OUR VISION prayer, and fellowship. Join us on January 24 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. in Helms Hall for refreshments and fellowship. At 7:00 p.m. we'll move to the Start the new year focused on scripture, Sanctuary where our very own Praise & Worship Team will encourage us and to join them in praise, prayer, fellowship! modeling Ephesians 5:19-20, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual 24, 2020 to • 6:30 PMthe songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always JANUARY giving thanks God Weddington Campus Sanctuary Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

With our eyes fixed on Christ, we are sure to have perfect vision! (Hebrews 12:2)

WELCOME TO WEDDINGTON UMC The Weddington UMC family is a vibrant and growing congregation, and we invite you to become a part of this exciting and dynamic church, as we seek to serve as the Body of Christ in our world. God is doing great things in and through this church. We offer a variety of worship styles and ministry opportunities.

We would love to have you join us for worship, ministry, and service. As the church, we are a family. To learn more about WUMC, attend a Meet Weddington session to get to know the staff and learn more about the church. For more information on Meet Weddington see page 11.

Monthly Reflections - Rev. Dr. Terry Moore A Fresh Start It is hard to believe that it is already the beginning of a New Year. New Year’s gives us a chance to honestly reflect on the past year. One of the things I share with our staff team is the need to evaluate. How did we do? What difference did we make? A couple of times each year we have a planning day where we evaluate the past ministries to inform how we will plan for the new ministries.

God invites us to do the same thing in our own lives. We are called to examine our past. We are called to examine our hearts and our lives. Then, we turn to see how we will move forward. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate.

The Bible is filled with scriptures inviting us to new beginnings. In John 3, Jesus invites Nicodemus to be born again, born anew. Look deep inside, Nicodemus, and as you do, know this, God so loves you! In Jeremiah 31, God offers a new covenant. God says, “I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more” Jeremiah 31:34 (NRSV). In Revelation 21, John proclaims, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true” Revelation 21:5 (NRSV).

As we enter this new year, I invite you to take some time for a genuine review. It is not always easy. But it is so important as we begin new. Who was I in 2019? Was I the person God called me to be? Do I have an intimate relationship with God? What are the things for which I should seek forgiveness? How will I be different in 2020?

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How will I nurture and grow my faith? Was I the husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, friend, etc., that God is calling me to be? This year, I commit to grow and mature to be who God has called me to be by the strength and grace of God. We do not know what life will look like in 2020. We do know, however, that we enter it with a God who so loves. We enter with a God who offers forgiveness and fresh starts.

Happy New Year!

Terry Rev. Dr. Terry Moore, Senior Pastor

Adult Ministries Adult Ministries . Patsy Sorrell The new year is a perfect opportunity to make a resolution to intentionally grow in your faith and your relationship with God. This winter, we have many new and ongoing Bible Studies and Life Groups to become a part of. To learn more about any of our studies or groups, we invite you to pick up a copy of our Winter Connections Adult Ministry guide or contact Pasty Sorrell at the church office. To register for any of these studies, please visit the website.

Bible Study Spotlight - Dr. Moore's Wednesday Night Bible Study The Parables of Jesus Time: Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45 p.m. beginning January 8 Location: Weddington Campus Family Life Center Leader: Rev. Dr. Terry Moore Childcare is available by reservation.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus often used parables - simple images and characters taken from everyday life to help illustrate who God is and help the people understand God’s extraordinary love and the nature of God’s kingdom and reign. The parables are among some of the greatest and most profound teachings of Jesus. Join Dr. Moore this winter as he helps us to take a closer look at the parables of Jesus and discover the important underlying lessons found within them.

Winter Women's Bible Studies Breathing Room for Women by Sandra Stanley Women's Bible Study/Life Group Time: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. beginning January 14 Location: Assell Residence Leader: Kristen Assell

God of Covenant by Jen Wilkin Women's Bible Study Time: Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning January 29 Location: Fellowship Hall Leader: Marty Cook Childcare available by reservation.

Trustworthy: Overcoming Our Greatest Struggles to Trust God by Lysa TerKeurst Women's Bible Study/Life Group Time: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. beginning January 9 Location: McFadden Residence Leader: Sharon McFadden

How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado Women's Bible Study/Life Group Time: Fridays at 9:30 a.m. resuming January 10 Location: Hemby House Leader: Gabrielle Andrews Childcare is available by reservation.

For full descriptions and details of any of our winter Bible Studies, pick up a copy of our Winter Connections Adult Ministry guide or contact Pasty Sorrell. To register for any of these studies, please visit www.weddingtonchurch.org/bible-studies.

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Adult Ministries Women's Ministry Women's Circles

Susanna Wesley Circle (SWC) The Susanna Wesley Circle (SWC) is a group of women who wish to grow in faith, experience friendship with Godly women, and serve Christ through various ministries and community outreach. The group ranges in age from mid-20’s through mid-40’s, many with families, but all are welcome to attend.

Mary Martha Circle gathers as a group of loving and

caring women in fellowship - supporting each other, growing in faith, and helping to serve the needs in the church and surrounding community.

In January the group will welcome guest speaker Tony Gibson, who will share about his role as Weddington Christian Counseling Counselor. For February and March the group will be viewing the video series, God and Country by Andy Stanley. We welcome all ladies of the church to join us.

Our next meeting is January 17. We will be hearing about the topic of marriage - specifically how we can improve our marriages by better understanding and accepting our spouses, turning to God through the struggles, and remaining steadfast in the Christian faith. Childcare is available (7 months and older). Bring a friend!

For more information contact Mary Revels at revelsmary@carolina.rr.com or Tommie Craig at tommiecraig@carolina.rr.com.

Men's Ministry

Lucy Price Circle meets monthly and seeks to be mission-

Men’s Connection Breakfast

focused through projects, activities, and events. Our meetings may have a speaker, an activity, and/or a meal. We enjoy having social times, but also want to share the love of Christ by serving others. Join us for one of the upcoming events:

The United Methodist Men meet in the Youth Center of the Family Life Center from 7:30-9:00 a.m. twice a month on Sunday for food, fellowship, and to discuss various topics. All men are welcome!

January 14 January 31 February 8 March 10

In January, we will meet on the second and fourth Sundays, January 12 and 26. Join us!

Patsy Sorrell, guest speaker 5th Friday Social with House of Pearls Valentine’s Luncheon Karen Mayes, guest speaker

For more information, contact Carolyn Canzonieri at cpc.canzonieri@gmail.com.

Men's Ministry at the Operation Christian Child Processing Center on Dec 10.

Weddington Women's Event - Save the Date!

Come Laugh, Come Learn, Come Love Weddington Women's Event with guest speaker, Cherie Nettles Saturday, March 14 , 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Weddington Campus Family Life Center Born and raised in the Carolinas, guest speaker, Cherie Nettles, believes all southern girls arrive in the magnolia-lines states in three ways - safe, sweet and sassy. Cherie admits, "I have chosen to place my emphasis on the "sassy." She's a comedienne, humorist story-teller, "Certified Laughter Leader," and Bible teacher who will invite us to dig deep into God's Word. Grab your calendar and plan to come laugh, learn, love and be refreshed by God's truth.

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20's/30's Sunday Morning Life Group Time: Location: Contact: Age/Stage:

Upcoming Schedule:

Sunday, 10:00 or 11:15 a.m.

Sanctuary Building, Room 209 Jay & Bailey Bedford 20/30’s (but all are welcome)

Are you a young adult looking to join others on Sunday morning to grow in faith and fellowship? This group meets on Sunday mornings two times a month for fellowship and to study the previous week’s scripture and sermon and discuss how it applies to our lives. In order to accommodate different worship times, the group alternates the schedule so they can attend worship together and meet for a time of study, prayer, and fellowship before or after.

January 5

10:10 Worship; 11:15 Life Group

January 19

10:00 Life Group; 11:00 Worship

February 2

10:10 Worship; 11:15 Life Group

February 16

10:00 Life Group; 11:00 Worship

March 1

10:10 Worship; 11:15 Life Group

March 15

10:00 Life Group; 11:00 Worship

March 29

10:10 Worship; 11:15 Life Group

Discovering Why Your Work Matters New discussion topic beginning on January 12 Time: Sundays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (2x/month) Location: Hemby House Leader: Amy Hasty Group Focus: Discovering Why Your Work Matters For many of us, work is where we spend one-third (or more) of our lives. It’s what we talk about at parties. It’s how we introduce ourselves. It’s often where our social circles and networks originate. In fact, for a lot of us, it’s the reason we live where we live. Work dictates much of the circumstances and rhythms of our lives. So why does Monday morning feel so far from Sunday morning? For many Christians, there is a significant gap between work and faith. The two simply feel unrelated. This Life Group is meant to help bridge that gap. Join us as we begin the journey together in January and consider the interrelatedness of faith and work. For more information, contact amyphasty@gmail.com.

Kings & Queens . Sandra McKee The Kings & Queens will meet on Thursday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Join us for a program, fellowship, and a delicious meal.

Golden Corral Luncheon Wednesday, January 15 at 11:30 a.m. We will leave the Fellowship Hall back parking lot at 11:00 a.m. Contact Sandra McKee if you would like to ride with the group.

K&Q Annual Beach Trip The Kings & Queens really got into the Christmas spirit on their Myrtle Beach trip in December.

They enjoyed Christmas shows at the Carolina Opry and Alabama Theater along with a little Christmas shopping.

K&Q December meeting

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Missions Local Missions . Rev. Rocío Ávila-Ramírez Local Missions Throughout Advent This past Advent was a beautiful welcome of the Christ! The spirit of giving was in full inspiration over the hearts of our church. Here are some of the amazing ways we served as the body of Christ this Advent season: • All 100 Angels from our Angel Tree were taken and bought for.

• 115 hams were provided from an anonymous donor and sent to Union County Crisis Assistance to be added in the community food baskets.

• 1000+ sandwiches were made through Operation Sandwich and sent to Urban Ministry Center & Union County Shelter for our homeless neighbors.

• 200 family-size hams gifted by Boar’s Head were delivered to families in the Monroe and Waxhaw community through Homework Help, ESL, Fixing It for Christ, and Crisis Assistance. We were also able to share with House of Pearls, Union County Shelter, Turning Point, and Thompson Center.

• In December through March, we will have welcomed many in need of a warm bed and meal to our Hemby House through Room In The Inn in partnership with Urban Ministry.

• The Parkwood High School Food Pantry was restocked through the help of our Weddington Christian Preschool.

• Groups and individuals filled and donated Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with gifts for children all over the world.

• We gifted families from the Monroe community with Walmart gift cards through an anonymous donor.

• Our Cub Scout Pack 99 gifted the Monroe Campus children with Christmas presents and made 800+ sandwiches for the hungry.

• We celebrated with Christmas parties for our Homework Children and ESL families.

• We celebrated a Christmas Service Posada at our Monroe Campus.

Church, thank you! God is great and works through us as His Body.

Building Brothers 2020 MEN! It’s time to sign up for Building Brothers 2020!

Our trip in 2020 will be April 23-26. Come one, come all as we build relationships and Habitat for Humanity homes for families in need on Johns Island, SC. The cost is $325 per man (all-inclusive) and the registration deadline is March 23.

Sign up today. The team size is limited to 28 men and slots go quickly. No construction skills are required.

To register or for more information contact: Brian King at 704-408-3170, bbking@rodgersbuilders.com or Lloyd Briggs at 704-806-6752, labinc1@aol.com.

The first 28 men who are paid ($325) will go – first come, first served. To register, make your check out to “Weddington Church” with the memo line reading “Building Brothers," then mail your check and shirt size to Brian.

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Pastoral Care Pastoral Care Ministry . Rev. Ed Briggs News and Announcements Winter GriefShare The loss of a loved one can cause deep pain and heartache.

The feelings from grief are difficult to navigate. GriefShare gives hope for people grieving by offering guidance in their journey of loss. This 13-week support group will begin on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hemby House. Each meeting is designed in such a way that topics pertinent to grief are presented in a video with discussion following. The love and support from the facilitators during this time together truly brings forth comfort and healing. If you or someone you know would like to attend GriefShare, please contact Sandra McKee at the church office.

Winter DivorceCare will begin on Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 20 in the Sanctuary building. Contact Sandra McKee at the church office to register.

A Witness from a DivorceCare Participant "For any of those who are experiencing the pain of a recent separation or divorce, I'd like to highly recommend the divorce care program our church offers. After 33 years of marriage, I became lost, sad, lonely, and questioning my future without my husband. What a tremendous support group, and source of comfort they have given me! I have become stronger than I imagined, deepened my faith in God, and have found hope for the future, and encouragement and love in so many. Thank you Pastor Ed, leaders, and my many new found wonderful and understanding friends!" -Anonymous Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator, Sandy Parker Sandy Parker has been a Stephen Minister here at WUMC since Stephen Ministry began in 2010. She also is a facilitator for one of our supervisory groups. Beginning in January, Sandy is taking on the role of Referral Coordinator. She will be the one to contact if you or someone you know is interested in being assigned a Stephen Minister. She can be contacted at 704-649-1230. Please note, any conversations with her are kept confidential. Once the need is accessed, she will speak to Rev. Ed Briggs about which Stephen Minister to put with the care receiver in need of support. Keep Sandy in your prayers as she takes on this ministry opportunity.

Winter Blues Seminar Sometimes the winter season due to the weather, less day light hours, and lack of greenery outdoors can cause one to feel depressed. The TLC Team is sponsoring a seminar on January 28 at 6:30 p.m. to address ways one can better navigate the winter blues. Tony Gibson, our licensed professional counselor from the Weddington Christian Counseling Center, will be with us to offer insights on this subject through a presentation and guided discussion. Our event is being held at the Bonds Grove Campus Fellowship Hall. A heavy appetizer meal will be provided. Please contact Rev. Ed Briggs for more information and R.S.V.P to Sandra Mckee at the church office.

WUMC Support Groups NA Fridays, 10:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Room 2

Contact: Nina, nina_michelle7@yahoo.com or 704-499-2564 Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., Monroe Campus Fellowship Hall Contact: Kasei, kaseidelpezzo@gmail.com Saturdays, 8:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Contact: Nina, nina_michelle7@yahoo.com or 704-499-2564 1st Saturday monthly, 3:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Contact: Nina, nina_michelle7@yahoo.com or 704-499-2564

AL-ANON Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., Hemby House

Contact: Sarah N. (704) 654-8529; sjn2003@gmail.com or Chris R. (704) 904-6849; cgr1057@aol.com

ACA, Adult Children of Alcoholics Fridays,

6:30 p.m., Room 209. Contact: suzanne.rakoczy@gmail.com

NAMI Family Support Group 2nd Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., Room 214, John and Evann Duncan, 980-313-8712

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9:00 p.m, Room 214 Contact: namiunionco@gmail.com

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Youth Ministry Youth Ministry . Rev. Meredith Hinton & Andy Horne Sunday Night Youth begins at 6:30 p.m. There are

programs for Jr. and Sr. High students, with Bible study and games. Afterward, everyone comes together for worship.

Youth Bible Study Join us on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Center.

Welcome Andy! Andy Horne has officially started as our new Youth Ministry Associate for High School. It’s been a thrilling Advent and Christmas season for us! We are so excited to welcome Andy to our team and we are looking forward to all God will do in and through him here at Weddington!

Our Girls' Blanket Making Party was a success and our annual Christmas Party was a blast! 2019 brought challenges and joys for us. It’s amazing to know we’ve come to the end.

We look forward to a new year with new opportunities for our youth to grow in their faith. Please hold our Youth Ministry in your prayers as we move forward. Thanks for all of the love and support!

2020 Retreats and Missions In addition to weekly activities, the youth participate in several retreats and mission trips throughout the year. All of our retreats are discipleship based and all youth have the opportunity to attend at least one mission trip during the summer and two retreats throughout the year. View the schedule on the website.

Confirmation 2020 Confirmation is a time of intentional preparation that gives youth the opportunity to reflect on the most basic elements of our faith. It is a special time to begin a journey of faith that nurtures and challenges youth to think about the nature of God, the life of Christ, and learn about United Methodist beliefs. The classes are offered annually starting in January to youth, 6th grade and above. To learn more and to register for Confirmation 2020, please visit the website.

On Sunday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC Multipurpose Room, prospective confirmation students and their parents are invited to an Introduction to Confirmation class where we will explain the process of confirmation and have a special time to get to know our pastors and church staff. The classes will then follow each Sunday until our service on the evening of Palm Sunday. The church has traditionally set the season of Lent as a time of preparation for students who wish to be confirmed so they may worship as members on Easter Sunday.

Our special confirmation service on Palm Sunday will surely be a powerful evening!

Registration for the Sr. High and Jr. High Retreats are now open! Space is limited. Register today at www.weddingtonchurch.org/youth. Please note our registration process has changed and now requires a deposit or full payment at the time you register.

We are working to finalize the remainder of the trips for 2020. Please check back soon!

Youth Christmas Party and Girls' Blanket Making Party in December Page 8

Children's Ministries Weddington Christian Academy . Adell Keen, Principal Happy New Year from WCA! Registration Dates • January 13 Registration opens to current WCA families.

• January 21 Registration opens to WCP & WUMC families.

• January 27 Registration opens to the community.

Special Dates in January • Home basketball games on January, 7, 9, 14, 28, & 30.

(Jan. 7 & 9 3:30 p.m. start time; Jan. 14, 28, & 30 4:00 p.m. start) • January 20 – MLK Holiday, No School • January 23 – Spirit Night at Chick Fil A at Waverly • January 24 – Mother/Son Event • January 31 – Annual Men’s Breakfast

WCA Christmas Celebrations

Weddington Christian Preschool . Sherri Martinez, Director Happy New Year from WCP! Praying God gives you a year of favor, full of His unending love. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us…” Psalm 90:17a WCP January Mission is “Coins for Kids” to benefit the children at the Home of the Good Shepherd Orphanage in Niyahururu. WCP will place coin jugs at the children’s Noah’s Ark entrance to collect loose change through February. All coins and cash collected will be wired straight to the orphanage and Pastor Simon Mwaura. We will be looking for volunteers to count and wrap coins the first of March.

A Visit from Local Kindergarten Teachers January 9 at 9:30 a.m. Among other topics, these teachers will discuss incoming kindergarten assessments, kindergarten preparedness, curriculums, and what a kindergartner’s day may look like. Please RSVP to this all-adult meeting by email or by calling the WCP office.

WCP Advent Program

Is Transitional Kindergarten right for you and your child? Join us on January 16 at 9:30 a.m. for lots of great information about our TK program! Please RSVP to wcp@weddingtonchurch.org or 704-849-7628 to attend.

Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A! Please join WCP at the Chick-fil-A in Wesley Chapel on Monday, January 27 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. for some food, fellowship, and fun! Mention Weddington Christian Preschool when ordering, and they will generously gift us a portion of the proceeds for our ministry. We benefit from both dine-in AND drive-thru orders. Eat more chicken!

Registration for the WCP 2020-2021 School Year will open to the community on January 6. Please visit our website for all pertinent age requirements, deadlines, and documents. Registration for WUMC members started on December 15, and all forms are due by January 23.

WCP Weddington Campus Tours will be offered January 8, 14, and 29. Please R.S.V.P. to 704-849-7628 or wcp@weddingtonchurch.org to attend, and please be sure to leave a contact phone number. Tours will start at the main WUMC Sanctuary entrance near the fountain at 2:00 p.m. To respect the privacy and security of children and families enrolled at WCP, tours will be offered on the Bonds Grove campus by appointment only. Please call 704-843-6785 or email BGCPS@weddingtonchurch.org.

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Children’s Ministry . Carolyn Nelson News and Announcements Save the Date! The Secret to Loving Children Effectively: The 5 Love Languages Sunday, February 23, 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Helms Hall

You love your child, but does your child feel loved? Come and discover your child’s love language and how to speak it. You’ll gain practical advice and leave with dozens of ways to help your child feel loved! Reservations will take place in February.

Sunday Morning Service Opportunities Are you looking for a way to serve this coming year? Please consider serving in one of our classrooms on Sunday mornings. We have classes available at the 9:30 and 11:00 hours. Our second and third grade kiddos really need people who can love on them, teach them God’s Word, and show them who God is. If you think you can serve in our program, please contact Carolyn Nelson. You can make a difference!

Weddington Christian Counseling Center . Tony Gibson, Counselor Happy New Year from Weddington UMC and the Weddington Christian Counseling Center! I trust that each of you has enjoyed all of the amazing holiday foods without gaining a single pound, have figured out how to untangle and unwind all of those little lights from your front yard landscaping, and have been spared having to return any gifts because everything was the right color and fits perfectly!

But on a serious note … as much as we may enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, which seems to begin earlier each year, we can also suffer the “side-effects.” Truth is, the holidays can be, and often are, very stressful. They can be a time where losses seem greater, loneliness becomes suffocating, anxiety becomes unbearable, and relational conflict reaches a peak. We often view the New Year as a means to recalibrate, reassess, and recommit. We see this in the increase of gym memberships and social media posts announcing the latest diet craze. As Christians, we often express our conviction to attend church more regularly, read the Bible more, become more active in good works, or join a Bible Study.

We place focus on refueling and reinvigorating our physical and spiritual health, but what about our emotional health? Often, we place this on the back burner believing that we are too busy or should be strong enough to just push through it. But consider that our Lord created us to be remarkably complex and holistic beings. He created us to experience fellowship with Him (spiritual), enjoy His creation and all the beauty it offers (physical), and He created us to experience a full spectrum of emotions. We can experience the greatest joy and happiness, such as when a baby is born, or we meet our soul mate.

However, living in a fallen world, our emotions can also lead us into dark and unpleasant places, places of hurt, heightened anxiety, fear, or depression. Relationships can be wonderful and painful at the same time. The world can inflict trauma and pain through situations outside our control, and we can suffer equally as a result of our own poor choices. We invest time and attention into our spiritual and physical health and well-being … isn’t it just as important to take care of our emotional and relational needs, as well?

Under the vision and leadership of Rev. Dr. Terry Moore and Rev. Ed Briggs, our church provides a true and confidential sanctuary, where you are welcome to meet with a professionally-trained therapist and invest in personal, relational, and spiritual healing. Our Counseling Center integrates best clinical practice with prayer and scripture, without judgement.

Be bold, comforted, and encouraged as you move into this New Year 2020! “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10b Tony Gibson is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Our Counseling Center is located at WUMC’s Marvin Campus at 9914 New Town Road in Marvin, North Carolina. The Center now accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance.

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Church Announcements Wednesdays @ Weddington Wednesdays evenings are a wonderful time of fellowship and ministry at Weddington Church, and there’s something for everyone!

Fellowship meals are served from 5:00-6:45 p.m. in the Family Life Center (September-May).

The cost per meal is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children, with a maximum of $20.00 per family.

Reservations are not required, and while we hope you stay to join us for a time of discipleship, that is not required either.

We’re glad to come together mid-week as a church family to break bread together, support one another in life and faith, and continue to build faith-filled friendships.

January Menu

Meet Weddington Sessions

• Jan. 8 - Lasagna, breadsticks, salad bar, and tiramisu • Jan. 15 - White chicken chili, steamed buttered broccoli, corn bread, salad bar, and cookies • Jan. 22 - Beef stroganoff over egg noodles or rice, oven-roasted green beans, roll, salad bar, and cherry pineapple dump cake • Jan. 29 - Pork tenderloin, oven roasted rosemary new potatoes, spinach gratin, roll, salad, and cookies

Interested in becoming a part of the Weddington UMC family?

As your clergy, program staff, and fellow Christians, it will be our privilege to grow and serve together. We request that anyone interested in membership attend one of our Meet Weddington Church sessions.

*We will not have W@W dinner on January 1.

Opportunity for Service Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve?

We are in need of volunteers to help set up, serve and/or clean-up for the Wednesday night dinners. God calls us all to humbly serve in love, and we are in hopes that you would be willing to volunteer with this important ministry here at Weddington. Please contact our Food Services Director, Kim Veith, by email for more information.

At Meet Weddington you will enjoy an informal time of fellowship, meet the pastoral and ministry staff, hear an overview of the ministry and mission of the church, and get answers to any questions you may have about Weddington UMC. Free childcare is provided in the Sanctuary building.

Meet Weddington Church sessions are typically held monthly.

The next Meet Weddington will be on January 26 at 5:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Family Life Center. To learn more, contact Rev. Amy Hutchison.

Holiday Office Hours Due to the New Years holiday, the church office will be closed on Wednesday, January 1. Happy New Year!

Year End Giving

Thank you to our amazing Altar Guild for helping to transform our worship spaces for the Advent season

What a wonderful year 2019 has been! As the year end approaches some of you may be considering special end of year gifts to the church. All 2019 donations must be paid online, postmarked, or delivered to the church office prior to December 31.

Any 2019 donation received prior to Jan. 1, 2020 will be deposited and posted to 2019 and will appear on your 2019 giving record for tax purposes. If you wish to contribute early for 2020, please mark your donation clearly as 2020.

If you have any questions about your 2019 giving, please contact JoAnn Horstman at the church office. Thank you for your generous support of the many ministries at Weddington United Methodist Church. Through your generosity Christ is made known in our community and around the world!

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Sunday Worship Times 8:15 a.m. Traditional (Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m. Praise and Worship (Sanctuary) 10:10 a.m. Acoustic Praise and Worship (FLC) 11:00 a.m. Traditional (Sanctuary) 11:00 a.m. Traditional (Bonds Grove Campus) 6:00 p.m. Bilingual Worship (Monroe Campus) 4:00 p.m. Waltonwood Retirement Community Rev. Dr. Terry Moore, Senior Pastor terry.moore@weddingtonchurch.org Rev. Rocio Ávila-Ramírez, Missions Pastor rocio.avila@weddingtonchurch.org Rev. Ed Briggs, Minister of Pastoral Care ed.briggs@weddingtonchurch.org Rev. Meredith Hinton, Youth Minister meredith.hinton@weddingtonchurch.org Rev. Amy Hutchison, Evangelism Pastor amy.hutchison@weddingtonchurch.org Rev. Leroy Henry Affiliated United Methodist Clergy Dr. Reginald Houze, Director of Music & Arts reginald.houze@weddingtonchurch.org Justin Lineberry, Director of Praise & Worship justin.lineberry@weddingtonchurch.org Carolyn Nelson, Children’s Minister carolyn.nelson@weddingtonchurch.org Ashley Goodner, Children’s Ministry Associate ashley.goodner@weddingtonchurch.org Katie Bradshaw, Children’s Ministry AssociateMonroe Campus katie.monroechildcare@gmail.com

Elizabeth Mitchell, Director of Communications elizabeth.mitchell@weddingtonchurch.org Ruth Cooley, Executive Assistant ruth.cooley@weddingtonchurch.org Sandra McKee, Admin. Assistant sandra.mckee@weddingtonchurch.org Linda Caskey, Financial Assistant linda.caskey@weddingtonchurch.org Alison Cardwell, Financial Administrator alison.cardwell@weddingtonchurch.org Tonya Tapp, Admin. Assistant tonya.tapp@weddingtonchurch.org Leah Primm, Admin. Assistant leah.primm@weddingtonchurch.org Adell Keen, WCA Principal akeen@weddingtonchristianacademy.org Sherri Martinez, WCP Director sherri.martinez@weddingtonchurch.org Jamie Edmondson, WCP Assistant Director bgcps@weddingtonchurch.org Jan Williams, Mother’s Morning Out Director jan.williams@weddingtonchurch.org

Andy Horne, Associate Youth Minister andy.horne@weddingtonchurch.org

Mike Carver, Facilities Manager mcar1973@earthlink.net

Patsy Sorrell, Director of Adult Discipleship patsy.sorrell@weddingtonchurch.org

Kim Veith, Food Service Director kim.veith@weddingtonchurch.org

JoAnn Horstman, Executive Director of Operations joann.horstman@weddingtonchurch.org

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Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 - 12:00 p.m.

704-846-1032 Campuses Weddington Campus 13901 Providence Road Weddington, NC 28104 Sanctuary Building and Family Life Center (FLC) Bonds Grove Campus 8215 Bonds Grove Church Rd Waxhaw, NC 28173 Weddington Christian Counseling Center 9914 New Town Road Marvin, NC 28173 Tony Gibson, Counselor, MA, LMFT tgibson.wcc@weddingtonchurch.org Monroe Campus 520 Engleside St Monroe, NC 28110