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A common thread
Weaving gratitude into the fabric of everyday life and ministry (p 6)
Songs of the season Tune your ear to festive Christmas music (p 22)
Because we care
Connecting with our aging members (p 12)
OC T | NOV | DE C 2 0 1 4 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.
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Psalm 107:1
hover over the stove, waiting for the tea to brew. Steam meets my face with warm notes of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. Shallow breaths turn to deeper ones. Seconds accumulate steadily. As I wait, I notice a little message dangling from my mug: “An attitude of gratitude brings opportunities.”
CONTRIBUTORS Brian and Christelle Beard, Ron and Zelma Branch, Yvonne Canida, Charlice Finck, Taylor Fuerst, Elsa Garza, Marvin and Alta Hamilton, Dow Harleston, Sibyl Henley, Evelyn Houghton, DeAndre Johnson, Josh Lemons, Hillary Peete, Donna Reid, Mary Ann Riggs, Jackie Rundstein, Andrea Taylor, Hannah Terry, Jack and Linda Tollefson, Lisa Walker and Homer Williams EDITOR & DESIGNER Kelsey Johnson ASSISTANT EDITOR Cindy Parker PHOTOS Tommy Behrman, Kelsey Johnson and Hannah Terry. Stock images from www.freeimages.com and www.creationswap.com.
WE’RE LISTENING.
Send your suggestions, corrections and comments to Kelsey Johnson, Director of Communications, at kelsey1@westburyumc.org or write to Westbury UMC at 5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096. WESTBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 5200 Willowbend Boulevard Houston, Texas 77096 (713) 723-0175 www.westburyumc.org
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It’s true—an attitude, a disposition, a posture, a way of being that is grateful and thankful, brings opportunities. It creates space. It opens me up to recognizing and joining in with God’s possibilities in my life and in those around me and the world. It’s like this brewing tea. Brewing tea requires some concrete things to happen. Heat some water, pour some water and dunk a tea bag. Brewing tea also takes time. Green takes 1 minute, oolong takes 3, and maté takes 5–7 minutes. Cultivating gratitude requires me to pause and reflect upon the moment, the day, the season of life. To be still. To meditate. To listen to what gifts have been offered to me. To pause again. And to give thanks to God and to others for these gifts. Cultivating gratitude takes time. To practice. To learn to slow down so that I may be present and recognize gifts. To tune my whole self to the process of learning and relearning and relearning to be thankful. The clock tick tocks that my tea is prepared and ready to be savored. I raise my mug and even before I take a sip, I look forward to brewing tea again soon. I wonder how tea may reveal to me the Holy Spirit’s work within me and how this connects with others and the world.
[Gratitude] opens me up to recognizing and joining in with God’s possibilities in my life and in those around me.
And I pray this issue of Together, including word and image offerings by laity, staff and clergy about thankfulness through all seasons of life and faith journey, stirs within us a song of gratitude for how the Holy Spirit is at work within the people called Westbury United Methodist Church. Rev. Hannah Terry, Southwest Fondren Community Pastor
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hen it comes to grief, we never get over a loss, but we get through it. We’ll spend three Sundays in worship to address how we go through grief as God’s people. Beginning All Saints’ Sunday on November 2, we’ll approach grief from a different perspective—when I am grieving, when my friend or loved one is grieving and when I am dying. Join us as we seek God’s grace for times of grief.
AdoptA-Family
TREE S
tarting the first Sunday in Advent (November 30), stop by the Café and select a family in need off the Adopt-A-Family Tree. These families have been referred to us through our community partners, Anderson Elementary School and Casa el Buen Samaritano, a local, non-profit health clinic.
Christmas Around the World Combined Sunday School for Children, Youth & Families On Sundays in December, come to the Parlor to explore Christmas from various traditions and cultures represented at Westbury UMC. We will hear stories from people’s native countries, sing songs from their traditions and find creative ways to anticipate the birth of the Christ child! This will be an engaging and meaningful way to celebrate Advent with your family.
Sunday school classes or church families and friends can go in together to buy Christmas gifts off these families’ “wish lists.” This is a great opportunity to focus on what we can give to others in our community this season! Wrapped gifts are due back by Sunday, December 14. For more information, contact Hillary Peete, Director of Children’s Ministry, at 713-723-0175 or hillary1@westburyumc.org.
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forever fund The full amount of any gift to the Faithful Forever Endowment Fund is invested, and only the interest or earnings generated are ever used. In this way, an ever-growing resource is created to aid in the mission and ministries of our church. Our regular weekly offerings to the church’s general fund are still necessary to meet routine expenses, as well as ministries and apportionments. However, when you think about leaving a lasting bequest or making a memorial gift to honor a loved one, wouldn’t you like to see those gifts last? By designating gifts to the Forever Fund, they will last. Contact the church office for more details about legacy giving.
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end-of-year giving 2014 At the August meeting of the Church Council, our Finance Committee challenged all church leadership, including pastors and staff, to give an extra month’s worth of tithes and offerings to help the church finish out 2014 with no outstanding bills in order to make a fresh start in 2015. As you prayerfully consider your year-end giving, we extend this challenge to you as well, if you are willing and able. Remember you can take advantage of the charitable tax deduction for any gifts given to the church by December 31. Checks must be dated and postmarked in 2014. Thank you for your incredible generosity. May you know the joy of giving in this season of celebrating the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.
limitless 2015 Givers are people of dreams and hope, trusting God with the possibilities of tomorrow. Making the commitment to give regularly and consistently in 2015 will open doors for God to multiply ministries and equip new followers of Christ in our midst. We’re excited that 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the church, and we believe God has limitless possibilities for us in this milestone year and beyond! To simplify your financial commitment and keep it steadfast, we encourage you to set up automatic recurring gifts through your bank or the church’s online giving platform at WestburyUMC.org/give-online. For assistance in setting this up, contact the church office.
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WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR ? IT’S A QUESTION WE HEAR A LOT THIS TIME OF YEAR—BUT ONE WORTH REPEATING. SEE HOW THE COMMON THREAD OF GRATITUDE IS WOVEN THROUGHOUT THE LIVES OF CHURCH MEMBERS AND HOW IT HOLDS TOGETHER THE FABRIC OF MANY MINISTRIES.
BY R E V. TAY L O R F U E R S T
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n the five years I have been a parent, I’ve observed that human beings are not, in fact, born with the habit of saying “please” and “thank you.” As it turns out, all manners have to be taught and re-taught. “I want some milk,” says my son. I correct him: “Please. May I please have some milk.” Children are really more eager to teach these rules than they are to learn them. “Pick up your clothes,” I command. And he corrects me: “PLEASE, Mommy. Please pick up your clothes.” I sigh. “Please pick up your clothes.” “Ok, Mommy. Thank you for saying please.” There are a number of ways to get children to say thank you. Most often I simply say it for them: “Thank you,” and with that reminder they echo, “Thank you.” In a sense, it’s like a little litany we recite—a call and response we have heard elsewhere:
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PSALM 100
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! Know that the Lord is God— he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture. Enter his gates with thanks; enter his courtyards with praise! Thank him! Bless his name! Because the Lord is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Psalm 100 is one among several psalms that are given this title: “A Psalm of Thanksgiving.” Here we find some words that the psalmist offers us for giving thanks; really it’s an admonishment to give thanks, a call to all the world to come to Jerusalem’s temple and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The verses we read are unabashedly directive. One imperative echoes after another, telling us what we should do: Make a joyful noise to the Lord... worship the Lord... come into his presence... know that the Lord is God... enter his gates... give thanks to him... bless his name. The psalmist, this ancient hymn writer, is not shy about telling us just what to do: when and how to say thank you. Almost like a parent, coaxing, “What do you say?” BEING POLITE VS. THANKFUL But it leaves me to wonder: in all of
these conversations, with all of the reminders and corrections, I wonder, are we teaching our children to say thank you, or are we teaching them to be thankful? We can teach them to be polite, but can we teach them to be inwardly grateful? How do we, God’s people, learn to live from a place where the cup is not just half full, but overflowing? How do we grow to find ourselves in a place of abundance, pressed down, shaken together, running over? Can we learn—and teach others—to live a life of “more than enough?” STILL WANTING MORE The truth is that most of us live our lives in a dance between being grateful and wanting more. This dance goes on perfect display each November on Facebook. Perhaps you, too, have many friends who trade their usual status updates for a daily listing of things they are thankful for, called 30 Days of Thankfulness. Each day, folks share what they are thankful for.
“Day 19: I’m thankful for the drive-thru...” “Day 22: I’m thankful for the rain, and for an umbrella...” So I scan all of the lists and see all of the beautiful, joyful offerings of thanks. And as I scan the list, right alongside them I find ads, strategically placed where my eye will notice them. Children’s clothes, vacation packages, the latest gadgets, beckoning, whispering, “Ooooh, you need this. What you’ve got is OK, but if you bought this, you’d really have a reason to give thanks.” And so we go back and forth: Giving thanks... wanting more... giving thanks... wanting more. BECAUSE OF GOD’S GOODNESS The psalmist spends verse after verse directing us, instructing us about giving thanks, and then in verse 5, he breaks from his instructions, and turns, revealing the reason behind it all: “Give thanks
“Day 4: I’m thankful for a clean house...” “Day 11: I’m thankful for my dog...”
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to him, bless his name...” and then verse 5, “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” This is the why—the driving force of our thankfulness; our giving thanks happens not because of the incidentals, not because of my current circumstances, not because of these things that could just as easily be gone tomorrow. Certainly we give thanks for these things, but the truth is, sometimes we are called to give thanks in spite of them. In spite of the incidentals. In spite of our current circumstances. In spite of how our day went. In spite of what has been lost. In all of this, we give thanks because there is One who steadily lies under it all, who stands even when all the other stuff falters; we give thanks to and because of the One whose love is loyal and lasts forever, whose faithfulness is not limited by time. SHAPED BY OUR HABITS I believe that our lives are shaped by the most common actions we take, our habits. Just like our bodies are shaped by exercise (or couch-sitting!), our spirits are formed and molded to fit the things we do, say, pray and sing, day in and day out. It’s the reason why we sing hallelujah again and again on Sundays—because we believe doing so will train our spirits to sing hallelujah on the days in between. We are entering this season that easily lends itself to gratitude. I wonder if we might approach the days ahead as an opportunity to build daily habits that have the power to shape our lives all year long. I have hope that our practices of gratitude might, in time, build into something beyond the cliché, something strong enough to hang on through all of life’s circumstances—perhaps something like God’s grace. n 8
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Stitched together by gratitude
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ratitude has been best taught through life’s experiences. The harder the experience, the more grateful I have become. Knowing the difference, however, was shown to me through my formative years from my Christian family and parents. Learning God’s Word has helped to put a forever grateful perspective on life’s journey and all that God has shared with me and my family. The stories of those in the Bible have provided that perspective to know my experience is not so unique, but important nonetheless. It has provided a perspective as well, of what our role is in relation to others, based on the love that God calls from each of us. That positive spin on life’s journey comes rather early in life, in my opinion. Giving back is a reflection of gratitude, in my estimation—whether that giving back is through acts of kindness, resources or how we live our lives—that gratefulness takes on life as a living verb. ––Lisa Walker
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s we age, we are beginning to experience aches and pains, and more frequent visits to doctors and pharmacies. Talking to friends, we are finding this is not an anomaly but the norm. Just as we were getting ready to lament our fate, we saw Don and Louise Miller, who we affectionately call “Westbury’s bionic couple.” It’s encouraging to watch Don and Louise bounce back from adversity after adversity—cancers, numerous surgeries, a broken pelvis and other set-backs—with such faith and total dependence on God. Rarely will you see Don or Louise frowning; they’re always smiling! Not only do they bounce back but they come back serving—you will see them volunteering in activities around the church and Don even sings in the choir. From the Millers, we have learned to focus on the blessings and not the aches and pain. When you trust God and count your blessings, even in the midst of adversity, you will find the peace that surpasses all understanding. ––Ron and Zelma Branch
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hen I think of gratitude I think of many times and people my life has touched. You start at birth: I was blessed by a giving and loving family, and I became a member of the Methodist Church at baptism. I met and married a wonderful man in the Methodist Church who loved me. During the years that followed we moved to Corpus Christi, McAllen, Tyler, Louisiana and Houston. Each time we found a Methodist Church, and at every church we became active members. Our girls have married, have three grandchildren, two sons-in-law who are all active in their churches. Homer [my late husband] and I have good memories of family, friends and church. Thank you, Lord, for all the love and help that you gave, for prayers that were answered by you. ––Charlice Finck
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hat a debt of gratitude I owe to this church, this gathering of people who seek to serve the Lord! I can truthfully say that Westbury Methodist has been the stabilizing rock in my life. Present at its beginning in Bellaire High School and involved ever since, I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without its influence. Fellow members, teachers, pastors, organists and choir directors—they have left their mark on me and I am grateful. Without Westbury UMC and its members throughout all those years, what kind of person would I have become? My Christian journey wouldn’t have occurred without those wonderful people.
It’s not too late to sign up for small groups beginning this October! Go online to www.WestburyUMC.org/adults or call the church office at 713-723-0175 to register. Dealing With Grief Rev. Dr. Dave Dinneen, a clinical psychologist and UMC pastor, will lead discussion around ways to recognize grief and how to understand and cope with grief of all kinds. ■ Duration: 6 weeks on Tuesdays (7–9 pm), starting Oct. 14 ■ Leader: Rev. Dave Dinneen ■ Location: Parlor ■ Cost: free
Divorce: Finding a New Normal Taught by Dr. Herb Agan, a psychology professor and a former youth minister, this class will cover topics on maintaining emotional and spiritual wellness through strained relationships and divorce, including the changing dynamics of parenting. Dinner and childcare will be provided by reservation only. ■ Duration: 4 weeks on Wednesdays (6–8:30 pm), starting Oct.
I am most grateful that God has allowed me to live such a long life and to gain new understandings of what Jesus exemplified and requires of me. It’s also been rewarding these 56 years to see how our church has developed and changed to meet the needs of the times.
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So now I am very excited about the new ministries that are developing and am hopeful for their success in meeting the needs of our neighbors. ––Jackie Rundstein
a medical and spiritual standpoint. Let’s learn together how to
The Conversation Project: Approaching End-of-Life Decisions Together It’s not easy to talk about death and dying, which is why more than half of Americans have never communicated their end-oflife wishes with their families or medical providers. This study will help us explore practical questions and issues from both start and continue this conversation. ■ Duration: 4 weeks on Wednesdays (7–9 pm), starting Oct. 29 ■ Leaders: Dr. John Patlan and Rev. DeAndre Johnson ■ Location: Room 102 ■ Cost: free OCT | NOV | DEC 2014 together
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P H O T O S BY T O M MY B E H R M A N & K E L S EY J O H N S O N
Lord, we are
thankful... ...for the praises of your people from every corner of the world SPECIAL GUESTS, JOHN BELL AND WENDY AND ANDREW DONALDSON SEPTEMBER 20–21
...for the harvest you entrust to our city PLANT IT FORWARD FARMS SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
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...for the promise of another generation to love and serve You YOUTH CONFIRMATION RETREAT SEPTEMBER 12–14
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Making visits to church members who now live in care facilities, Pastor Homer Williams kneels to pray with Sibyl Henley.
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because WE
care S T O RY A N D P H O T O S BY K E L S EY J O H N S O N
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow into lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
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2 Corinthians 1:3–5
hese verses describe how Yvonne Canida sees God at work in her life and why she feels compelled to be a part of the Living Water Caring Ministry, a team of dedicated church volunteers.
When she first joined the church in 1987, the Caring Ministry reached out to her about every three months just to keep in touch. But, it was when Yvonne’s husband fell ill in 1991 and later died, that the frequent phone calls, cards and prayers of friends from church—and even people she didn’t know—brought her comfort. “I’m so grateful for this comforting care and feel it must be reciprocated,” Yvonne explains why she joined the ministry about 10 years ago. “I have gotten to feel closer to members of the congregation whom I had not known before. I’ve heard their stories of suffering, courage, faith, losses and healing. Many of them tell me how much they enjoy receiving cards, phone calls, home and hospital visits and flowers; and I understand how these seemingly small acts can bring great comfort.”
We care.
Yes! You can contact me to help with (check all that apply):
Prayer concerns r Sending encouragement and support via email r Making calls to those on the prayer list r Writing cards for illnesses, births, sympathy, or death anniversaries r Writing to those in the military r Donating greeting cards or postage
Homebound visits r Visiting homebound members r Delivering copies of the Upper Room devotional r Delivering flowers r Taking communion to homebound members
Receptions for funerals r Providing food for a reception r Greeting/directing guests r Serving food and drink for a reception r Cleaning up the kitchen afterward r Washing tablecloths afterward
Caring Ministries Team r I want to join this team. r Please contact me. I would like to learn more. r I would like to make a donation to support this ministry. r I will pray for the team members.
___________________________________ Your Name ___________________________________ Phone Number ___________________________________ Email Address Please complete this form and return it to the church office so that we can be in touch with you. Thank you!
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Yvonne now leads the Caring Ministry team and has done so for nearly three years, although, when she first agreed to come on board, it was meant to be in an interim capacity. In spite of her initial feelings of inadequacy, she believes that “God does not call the equipped, but equips the called.” “I continue to pray for God’s guidance and my patience and strength. I give thanks for my wonderful team members who work tirelessly to provide care to our church and extended families; for Rev. Homer Williams who has brought so much more personal care to our homebound members and those living in care facilities and to Rev. Dow Harleston who started this ministry many years ago and is now a recipient of its care.” Rev. Harleston, a former associate pastor at Westbury UMC who is now a resident of Clarewood House care facility, says even though he is no longer here with us in person and finds it difficult to attend because of his health conditions, still he feels as though the tie that binds him to this church family has never been broken. Dow says he feels “the relationship is just as strong as ever.” And, if you know some of Westbury UMC’s history, you can understand why Rev. Harleston still feels so keenly connected. He and longtime church member Julia Treadway began the ministry in 1986, based on the belief that God cares for others through us. The Caring Ministry has always been a primarily lay-driven ministry designed to reach out to Westbury’s large church family and the surrounding community on a one-on-one basis. Many of our homebound members or those living in care facilities are the people who built Westbury UMC. Years of their lives were poured out in love and ministry. Pastor Homer likes to say that “we
Far left: While volunteering in the church office, Betty Phelps makes calls to check on people on our prayer list. Middle: The Agape Youth Choir greets residents of Clarewood House, shaking hands with Rev. Dow Harleston and others. Above: Greeting cards lovingly written and mailed outnumber even the days in a year.
stand on their shoulders.” And it’s true, Westbury UMC wouldn’t be the same without them. Over the years, a good number of our aging church members have found themselves unable to make it to weekly worship. They’re now homebound or live in care facilities all over the city. But just because they can’t come to church doesn’t mean they’ve been forgotten. It’s the mission of the Living Water Caring Ministry to continue to reach out to these members, extending acts of kindness through greeting cards, phone calls, visits, flowers and more. With the addition of Pastor Homer on staff to coordinate pastoral care visits, Holy Communion and oneon-one prayer has been offered on a more regular basis. Homebound member Alta Hamilton believes that everyone has a part in caring for our church family—newcomers, regulars, young, old, weak and strong. She and her husband Marvin say they feel blessed to have caring friendships
They tell me how much they enjoy receiving cards, phone calls, home and hospital visits and flowers. I understand how these seemingly small acts can bring great comfort. that develop over a lifetime. “Pastor Homer has brought us communion,” Alta shares in an email expressing her gratitude. “And Homer can sing! He sang old Methodist hymns, which were messages of joy. Our Youth Choir has been to sing also.” Similar refrains are heard from another homebound member, Evelyn Houghton. “I have been homebound for a few years and sometimes the days get a little long,” says Evelyn.
“It seems invariably when that happens, the phone will ring and the Caring Ministry is calling to see how I am today, or the door bell will ring and there will be someone from Caring Ministry with a plant or some beautiful flowers and they come in and sit a spell. I know that is God at work and I am not forgotten. “There have been some special times when the Caring Ministry delivers Upper Room [devotionals]. In particular, when a youngster OCT | NOV | DEC 2014 together
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named Evan and his father visited, Evan took notice of my frog collection. On the next visit, Evan brought me a picture he had drawn of my frogs using the acronym FROG (Forever Relying On God.) That picture is priceless.” Pastor Homer, whose focus as Westbury’s part-time associate pastor is pastoral care, considers serving with members of the Caring Ministry to be a spiritually rewarding experience. “The majority of the churches I served over the years did not have staff or an associate pastor, so I found myself wearing many hats in the life of the church. However, pastoral care ministry has always been a passion of mine. So, to arrive here and visit members in the various care facilities around the city and to meet and share communion and devotions with those who are homebound has not been a burden, but fulfilling work.
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“I’ve had the opportunity to learn about some of the history of Westbury and how these servants were part of its wonderful past. Just to be able to tell their stories to someone seems to put a gleam in their eyes. Most of all, I discover
that they still love and miss their church and the various individuals they served with over the years. “Beloved, we owe them so much, a debt that can never be repaid. However, we try, isn’t that right? And we do so because we care.” n
So far in 2014, the joyful work of the Living Water Caring Ministry has included: Calls 664 l Cards 449 Emails 293 l Home Visits 45 Doctors Visits 22 l Meals Provided 24 Funeral Receptions 8 l Flowers Delivered 27 Care Facility Visits 35
Westbury
Cares
In Memory Of
Pearl Jackson from the Disciples Sunday school class and Julia Treadway Patsy Burton from Violet Lewis, Tom and Cheryll Tengram, Barbara and Silvio Verdile and Roy House Jane Doerr from Sarah Winkel
Deaths
David Green (08/07/14)
Are you new?
Marie Tutten (07/22/14) Mary Pearl Jackson (08/16/14) Joretta Schneider (09/21/14)
New Members Arthur Arias (07/27/14)
Richard Wells (09/14/14)
Baptism
Meet and greet at Coffee With the Pastors in the Café following worship on second Sundays. This time is for anyone who is new to Westbury UMC and would like to find out more about the ministries and mission of the church. Coffee and other refreshments will be served as you have casual conversation with our pastors and church members. Everyone is welcome! Choose from any of these upcoming Sundays: October 12, November 9 and December 14.
Isaiah Olufemi Parker (07/13/14) Tobechi “Tobe” Vzoawele Amankwe (9/14/14)
FAM
FAM
Join God on Fondren
Scan the code at right to make a donation to the Fondren Apartment Ministry, or visit www.easytithe.com/westburyumc
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I N T E RV I E W Q&A W I T H J O S H L E M O N S & H I L L A RY P E E T E
Setting sail with
Family Ministry WHAT IF WESTBURY INTENTIONALLY PARTNERED WITH FAMILIES TO MAXIMIZE SPIRITUAL FLOURISHING? WHAT MIGHT THIS LOOK LIKE IN THE HOME AND AT CHURCH? WE GATHERED PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS, SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS TO HELP SHAPE OUR CONVERSATIONS. AFTER A THREEMONTH PROCESS, WE DEVELOPED A SET OF DOCUMENTS DETAILING FAMILY MINISTRY. HERE’S WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION TASK FORCE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.
Developing the ‘Westbury village’ with Elsa Garza You and your husband, John Patlan, have raised two kids in this church. Sarah is a sophomore in college, and Sean is a senior in high school. During one of our task force meetings, we did a Futures Exercise, where we imagined what Family Ministry would look like in three years at Westbury UMC. The group painted a picture of a growing, vibrant church, with exciting new ministries. What are you most excited about seeing come to fruition? JOSH:
ELSA: I
am most excited about and look forward to more fellowship opportunities open to the whole church body allowing multigenerational relationships to develop. I firmly believe the old adage, “it takes a village to raise a child,” especially now when our extended families do not usually live around the corner. Fellowship experiences at Westbury allowed John and me to get to know this village of God-loving people and trust that our children were going to experience love, care and direction from them. More importantly, we all had role models we personally knew who desired to serve God. John and I feel extremely blessed to have had our Westbury village helping us raise Sarah and Sean. A simple fellowship lunch of homemade sandwiches and chips was the first fellowship opportunity John and I had at Westbury well over 12 years ago. We had visited a couple of times, and I remember we were in the hallway discussing whether or not to attend when Joyce and Dan Garza introduced themselves, took us arm in arm with them, sat with us, and introduced us to several of their family members and friends… and thus began our Westbury village.
Transition of child to youth with Brian Beard
Flowing between church and home with Mary Ann Riggs HILLARY: Mary
Ann, you’ve been a reliable, creative teacher for many years. What are you most excited about within the Family Ministry folder? What do you think will have the biggest impact on the developing faith of our children? MARY ANN: I
appreciate the “Faith at Home” section. The lessons and activities that children participate in at church are only a part of their spiritual development. When parents and other family members reinforce these concepts at home, children are more likely to mature in their own faith. It is also important for children to feel that church life is an extension of their home life. If we can help parents share their own faith with their children at home, then I feel we will have truly accomplished our mission.
I’m so glad I got to spend some time getting to know Max before he moved from Children’s into Youth Ministry. How has this time of transition been for your family? HILLARY:
Linking the first year of the youth program with Confirmation gives structure to the transition. And attending the Confirmation retreat as a mentor was invigorating, inspiring and reassuring. Josh approaches his work with an intuitive and informed understanding of the needs and sensibilities of adolescents—a heady mix of structure, mentorship, experimentation, humor, physical action, questioning, challenge, pursuit of passion, accountability and play. We are also grateful for all the other adults who are generously giving their time and wisdom as mentors and teachers for the Confirmation class. BRIAN:
You gave us great feedback about the different “sails” and “anchors.” Which sail or anchor are you most intrigued by? JOSH:
Great question, Josh. It’s hard to decide, but I am particularly drawn to the interfaith dialogue anchor. Goethe said, “Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.” I think this applies to religions too. Offering our youth the opportunity to understand other faith traditions can help foster their understanding of religion in general—what it is, what it is about, what it is up to—while simultaneously building a deeper understanding of their own faith tradition and a genuine respect for religious diversity, which to me is an essential value for all people of faith. BRIAN:
Authentic friendships with Christelle Beard I know that you and your family were drawn to Westberry because of its diversity of ethnicities, nationalities, languages and ages. How do you see our new vision for children’s and family ministries helping to strengthen the diversity of the church? HILLARY:
It is a blessing to worship with people from so many backgrounds. We love when DeAndre teaches us a song in Swahili or French or Spanish and the whole congregation happily joins in. We appreciate how the church not only accepts, but actively promotes, diversity—not only in programming but in the interactions between people. These interactions start in church but go far beyond it. This summer, we went with other English/French/Swahili-speaking families from Congo, Rwanda and the States on outings to the zoo and to Miller Outdoor Theater. It was great to see how our bond in church was leading to a willingness to share each others’ cultures and fostered deeper understanding and appreciation of each others’ uniqueness. CHRISTELLE:
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What stands out to me with Donna Reid Donna, we were thrilled you offered to facilitate the Spiritual Formation Task Force. Your background and training were invaluable. And you’re so involved and committed to Westbury in so many ways. Could you share a moment when, as a facilitator, you felt like the group worked at their best? HILLARY:
One moment that stands out for me was the Success Analysis activity during our first meeting. Each person reflected on a personal experience that had led to spiritual growth. After writing our stories down, we shared with a partner and listened appreciatively to figure out what was special about each story. What were the conditions that led to spiritual growth? Then all together, we made a list of the traits of these transformative experiences. I got goose bumps listening to the stories and hearing how participating in a small group and having role models were themes that cut across many of the stories. I felt privileged to hear these powerful stories, and we referred to the list of traits often to guide and inform our discussions. DONNA:
You participated in the task force both as a facilitator and as a parent of two girls in the youth program. In what ways will your family be impacted by the work done by this group and the new vision for family ministry? JOSH:
Having a clear vision helps protect us from “presentism” —a fixation on the short term. It’s great for my 7th-grade daughters to have things to look forward to, such as international mission trips. On a practical note, I appreciate having a calendar for the youth activities this semester. It’s comforting to know that Westbury UMC will be supporting our family as we grow in faith together. DONNA:
Meet the Teachers: Children’s Sunday School
Perspectives of a mom and psychologist with Andrea Taylor I’ve loved getting to know you over the past year, and I’m so thankful you served on this task force. You played a vital role in this group because of your expertise in psychology. In what ways did you contribute professionally as a psychologist and personally as a mom of a kindergartner? HILLARY:
Well, I really enjoyed being on the team and getting to think about aspects of spiritual growth and development in our kids and youth. ANDREA:
As a psychologist, I was focused on what would be going on from a developmental level within the various age groups, birth through 18. Younger kids tend to think in more of a rigid, “matter-of-fact” way. Teenagers, on the other hand, can abstract and often have questions about the deeper meaning of spirituality or are questioning why they believe what they believe. I was also considering how the materials being developed might be perceived, not only by the kids, but by their families As a mom, I thought about what I want my son, Evan, to learn over the years—the foundations I would like for him to have at different stages. I also thought about how I experienced my spiritual development as a child and through my early adulthood. While his father and I are the immediate models for his faith life, I am also counting on the church community to help Evan grow spiritually.
Parents n Sunday School Options
Denise Singleton has been teaching for 3 years. “I’m looking
forward to seeing the students’ smiling faces as they come to learn about the love of God.” She loves singing, reading, and teaching.
Ashley Dill co-teaches with her mom Denise and has been a is, member at Westbury UMC for 15 years. Her favorite Bible verse “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Shepherd’s Class | Room 102
ranging children might touch that he are a diverse group of parents orderwith us! We to joinwere All parents are welcome“People bringing little children to him in Biblical andthis, topical Jesus saw we explore But when teenagers. We build friendshipstoasthem. in ages from newborns to them; and the disciples spoke sternly come to me; relationships. children healthy the littlefamily maintaining andsaid to them, ‘Let studies related to raising kids in the faithand he was indignant as these that the kingdom of God do not stop them; for it is to such
of God Children’s Spirituality September 2014 | Back to Basics: whoever does not receive the kingdom belongs. Truly I tell you,within they speak their first Evenhebefore us. And presence took them up in his arms, Faith is a gift from God; it isaGod’s as little child will never enter it.’ does it mean to be faithful at age faithfulness. But what them.” Mark 10:13-16 words, our children are learning laid his hands on them, and blessed and formation 2 and age 12? Join us for a 4 week class about what spiritual development that development. looks like for our children and practical ways families can support
Babies & Toddlers
October 2014 | Stewardship the spiritual discithe family through is will help guide innate During the month of October, we are sense of wonder and faith that born with an “Children will join together for Sun12, parents and children pline of tithing. On Sunday, October leaders, our role is to provide a genuine and real. As teachers and get families talking there will be interactive activities childrentobuild a life of learning day school. During this class, foundation of experiences on which this to strengthen waysfaith. With intentional to conversation withvital to continue and take home resourcesand growth toward a mature and calls Hamilton’s Adam God discuss will people adults the the we become remaining Sundays, spiritual discipline. On the learning and Christian formation, Gordon.) to pruit comes by Melanie wisdom when to rediscover the Bible’sExperience, Enough. Enough is an invitation us to be” (What Every Child Should contentment, dent financial practices. In these pages are found the keys to experiencing shaping faithful aregenerosity. believe weand through joyUMC, we simplicity overcoming fear, and discovering Westbury
Materials like these were designed and assembled in Family Ministry folders. Copies are available in the church office or PDFs to download from WestburyUMC.org . Class | Room W202 Pathfinders Ofelia Patlan has been teaching for over 50 years! She enjoys bringcrafts ing the word of God to children in ways they can understand with is a and arts. Her favorite verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Mary Ann Riggs loves that Westbury UMC is not just a place to
4 years worship but also a caring community. She has been teaching for and and enjoys finding creative and crafty ways to teach Bible stories loves how children remember the stories each year.
Hillary Peete enjoys learning from children about how they see and Director experience God. She joined the Westbury UMC family in 2013 as Felix, of Children’s Ministry and you’ll often see her chasing her toddler, around the church.
Rebecca Smith recently joined Westbury UMC and loves the “spiritual fire and passion for loving others” in the congregation. She’s looking forward to seeing God through the eyes of the children while teaching and growing in relationship with the kids.
At
babies. Nursery care is
disciples among even the youngest Communication November 2014 | Are You Really Listening? Keys to Successful on Sundays in the Children’s to noon amaren’t 8:00 fromthat being heard. But sometimes you available they complain Children, spouses, friends with are equipped toddlers and in our conference for infants a Deacon DeHart, Rooms Laralee to either! Wing. listened feel that you aren’t being tallyactually developmen andWe’ll discuss how rug for play, book. this insightful throughfloor spacious leadaus cribs, and parent of 3 girls, will cared areour families. strengthen us andchildren the nursery, peopleinaround andWhile to the world toys. listening can open us up appropriate We lay a foundation for for by at least two loving workers. are created and loved by babies and toddlers to learn they that Church
around them, and by those off the fall with 6 Decisions That Will they kick as loved youthare and they Join parents of childrenGod, place. to Making Sense of the Bible by Adam loving transition safe and We will is a Berlin. Change Your Life by Tom throughout the year. Hamilton in late September and continue with other book studies church with babies and We acknowledge that coming to But the experience of toddlers presents many challenges! community can ease being loved and supported by this parents with children of welcome We transitions. difficult the World” “Christmas Aroundschool and participate in class a Sunday ages to join all Sunday School for Children, Youth & Families Combined as events just for families. This churchwide events as well will explore Parlor where wechildren feel at On Sundays in December, come to the our will deepen the sense of belonging at cultures representedWestbury Christmas from various Christian traditions and at roughout the year, we plan meet-ups
FALL 2014
Sunday School Overview Children n Youth n Parents
“Peter said to them, ‘Repen t, and be baptized every one of you in the name Jesus Christ so that your of sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Baptism
Infants and children of all ages are baptized as a sign of God’s grace community of faith. From and welcoming that child the earliest times, children into the and infants were baptized church. As scriptural and included in the authority for this ancient tradition, we hear Jesus’ come to me… for it is words: “Let the little children to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). At Westbury UMC, we believe that baptism is a means of grace and process of salvation. signifies God’s initiative John Wesley preached in the “prevenient grace,” the before we are aware of grace that works in our it, bringing us to faith. lives We believe the baptism in the church before they of children and their can respond with their inclusion own confirmation of witness to prevenient faith is a valid and compelli grace. ng Baptisms take place within the service at the request of families or individu commitment. Parents als who are making a interested in having their faith child baptized at Westbur with a pastor to further y UMC are invited to discuss next steps and meet preparations.
Resources FOR
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Everyone plays a part with Linda and Jack Tollefson During a group exercise called Success Analysis, you shared an influential moment you had when you were confirmed. You were impacted by the love and care the whole congregation showed you—not just your parents or peers. How do you see intergenerational relationships playing a role at Westbury UMC? HILLARY:
The church I grew up in enveloped us in love—everyone had a part in nurturing us as young Christians. Our Sunday School teachers taught us about God’s love, Jesus and the Bible. The older kids in the youth group were our mentors as we grew. They played with us at church activities when we were young and watched out for us when we went on retreats as we got older. Parents and siblings of our friends took us to skating parties or car washes. We didn’t have a youth choir—it was just “the choir” LINDA:
and the members helped us read music, learn our parts and taught us favorite hymns. The older ladies whose families had grown and moved on would watch over us so we wouldn’t get hurt, and when we did fall and scrape our knee, they would hug and comfort us or even scold us when needed! The pastor taught Confirmation, but we knew that when we got through the “exam” questions, the whole congregation was cheering for us and was vitally interested in how well we understood. It was truly a whole community that we regarded as family—equivalent to our cousins, aunts and uncles or grandparents—and we knew, without a doubt, that all of them loved and cared for us little ones. Westbury can and should be the same type of community! There IS more than enough love to go around. When a child is brought to be baptized, the entire congregation vows to nurture them in love. Teachers, drivers, youth leaders, volunteers on missions, tutors—all play a role, and with all of our many kinds of diversity (age, race, education, etc.) we have the opportunity to embrace them and teach even more tolerance, respect and love. Jack, I’ve really enjoyed seeing you teach Confirmation. You have such a deliberate and thoughtful approach. Given your JOSH:
insight, how does this new vision for youth ministry foster a young person’s relationship with Christ? I believe that, for a few people, faith comes in an instant flash of inspiration directly from God. However, for many others, faith comes after learning about what God has revealed about Himself in the Bible; what Jesus did and taught from the gospels; and what the church has consistently taught from apostles and the creeds. Faith comes from hearing God in hymns and songs; seeing God in the faces and actions of the congregation and the church; and practicing faith by learning to pray, reading the Bible, and learning to actually listen for Jesus and the Holy Spirit to answer our heart’s questions. JACK:
Josh and Hillary have joined together to coordinate a program to guide children from their earliest days at church, through elementary to Confirmation and the youth ministry with an overall vision of what is important and necessary to their spiritual development. This careful preparation of hearts and minds will, I believe, give the children and youth the best opportunity to know and appreciate Jesus when they meet him on their faith journey. n
6TH–12TH GRADE
2014
FAIT H
Recurring Events
At Westbury United Methodist Church we are casting a vision
Sunday Mornings
Children’s Sunday School
9:30–10:30 am | Children’s Wing
for a holistic family ministry:
Youth Ministry
TO CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT OF
COLLABORATION AND
PARTICIPATION AMONG PARENTS, CHILDREN,
at Westbury A N D T H E C UMC HURCH
FOR
THE PURPOSE OF NURTURING A VIBRANT AND MATURING FAITH FOR ALL.
Children’s Ministry
Sunday School classes are held for 3- and 4-year olds as well as K–2nd and 3rd–5th graders in age-appropriate classrooms. Westbury UMC’s devoted teachers plan activities based on a well-rounded curriculum called Grow, Serve, Proclaim.
Youth Sunday School
9:30–10:30 am | Youth Wing
EVENTS::
n Children n Youth n Combined
Unique Events
at Westbury UMC
Sunday, November 23
BABIES–5TH GRADE
What could be better than backlights and lasers? I know… food with backlight and lasers! Done. Join us for a fun-filled night of laser tag. Cost is TBD; bring a friend for a few hours of laser gun
Youth Laser Tag
5–7 pm | Laser Quest 1 13711 Westheimer Rd
slinging delight!
Hear from great teachers and spend some time with your friends, all while growing deeper in your relationship with God!
Sunday Afternoons
Children’s Choir Rehearsal
3:00–3:45 pm | C-1, Children’s Wing Ages 4 through 2nd grade learn rhythm, the elements of music and songs of the faith. Lively rehearsals conclude with a light snack. The Children’s Choir regularly sings in worship. NO CHILDREN’S CHOIR ON NOV. 23 AND 30
Youth Choir Rehearsal
4–5 pm | Room 200, Choir Suite
Sunday, November 30
th th The Agape Youth Choir (6 –12 graders) prepares songs for worship and special music.
5–7 pm | Humphrey Hall
NO YOUTH CHOIR ON NOV. 23 AND 30
Family ADVENTure Night Our whole church family is invited to join us in celebrating the
Youth Group
“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18–19
Confirmation
Confirmation is primarily for those in the 6th grade, or any middle school student who has not gone through this experience. Confirmatio n is that time in a person’s life when they respond to God’s grace with intentional commitment, publicly reaffirming their baptismal vows before the congregation. During Confirmation our students will encounter the teachings of the Church, specifically the United Methodist heritage in which we are a part. They will learn about the creation, the fall of humankind the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, , the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, and John Wesley’s unique view of grace, all while encounterin g the scripture in every lesson. Furthermore, the confirmands will have time to visit other Protestant denominations, Jewish synagogues, as well as Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches so as to provide a more complete framework by which they can interact with their faith.
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together OCT | NOV | DEC 2014
SONGS of the
SEASON
DECEMBER 7 AT 10:45 AM | On Sunday, December 7, we will begin the countdown to Christmas in worship with the Sanctuary Choir performing excerpts from the Mark Hayes’ cantata Candles and Carols, a candlelight Advent journey that celebrates the traditional themes of hope, peace, joy and love. The selections for choir, organ and congregation will include favorite carols such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” and “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
DECEMBER 14 AT 10:45 AM | In worship on Sunday, December 14, the Young Adult Choir and orchestra will lead us in worship, singing excerpts from Gloria in D by Antonio Vivaldi. The Gloria is a setting of the hymn of praise that is based on the angels’ song as recorded in Luke 2. Vivaldi composed this piece while working as the maestro di violino for the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for the illegitimate daughters of Venetian noblemen. Along with this work, Vivaldi is most noted for a few of his instrumental works (especially the cycle of violin concerti, The Four Seasons), as well as his influence on later composers, such as Bach and Handel.
DECEMBER 14 AT 5 PM | That afternoon, at 5 pm in Humphrey Hall, the children and youth will present an adaptation of Dave Brubeck’s La Fiesta de la Posada. Las Posadas is a Latin American custom depicting Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging on the eve of Christ’s birth. It is usually re-enacted from December 16 to Christmas Eve and nearly always includes festive music, rich food and a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story involving the whole community. The children and youth of Westbury will perform this “pageant” complete with costumes, staging, Mariachi music and piñata. The whole congregation is invited to join in the celebration with holiday refreshments.
DECEMBER 21 AT 10:45 AM AND 4 PM | On Sunday, December 21, we have the great honor of welcoming again the Houston Ebony Opera Guild both in worship and again in concert at 4 pm in the Sanctuary. This year, the Chorus will be performing portions of Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saints-Saëns and Ballad for the Brown King by Margaret Bonds. The concert will feature area soloists and orchestra. Admission is free and a reception will follow in Humphrey Hall.
DECEMBER 24 AT 5 AND 8 PM | Lastly, we will have two Christmas Eve services this year at 5 pm and 8 pm, in the Sanctuary. Both services will feature familiar carols and scripture readings in a traditional lessons and carols format. The 5 pm service will include jazz music by the worship band and will be especially planned with young children in mind. For the 8 pm service, we are inviting all those who wish to sing in a community chorus to provide some special music for the service. The music will all be easy, familiar carols and will only require willing participants to come 30 minutes early in order to rehearse. Participants will still be able to sit with their families for much of the service and only come forward to sing at the appropriate time. OCT | NOV | DEC 2014 together
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Westbury United Methodist Church
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 7821 Houston, Texas
5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, Texas 77096-5298
Westbury
Main Office: 713-723-0175 United Methodist Church
WestburyUMC.org
Address service requested
Westbury United Methodist Church
Westbury United Methodist Church
Westbury United Methodist Church
We light a new candle each week in Advent, creating a circle of blessing: HOPE Sunday, Nov. 30 LOVE Sunday, Dec. 7 JOY Sunday, Dec. 14 PEACE Sunday, Dec. 21
Westbury C h r i s t m a s Ev e Wo r s h i p United Methodist Church
5:00 pm l 8:00 pm
Westbury United Methodist Church