New York, New York! Rev. Kent, Dr. Scarambone and members of the Chancel Choir are in NYC today preparing for their concert TONIGHT night at Carnegie Hall. They will be debuting a new Christmas work by Mark Hayes with members of 9 other choirs from around the country and a full orchestra.
Sheltering Berea’s Homeless. Meeting Nov. 27, 7 pm at the Friends Meeting House. Come learn about the Room in the Inn (RITI) model of sheltering homeless people during the winter months! Churches & civic organizations are especially invited. Pamela Yancey of the successful RITI program in Bullitt County will present and answer questions. Participants will consider how they can get involved as a church or group, or as individual volunteers. All welcome!
Plan now for Lenten experience Nov. 30th deadline: This year there will be a pre-Lent retreat for adults (ages 18+) on March 4-6 planned by Donna Eder and Carla Gilbert. The focus will be on Solitude and Sharing in Sacred Space and it will be held at the Loretto Community guest house, located 1 ½ hours west of Berea. We will be offering opportunities for contemplation and spiritual sharing, many of which can be continued afterwards to deepen your Lenten experience. The cost per day for meals and lodging is $45 for a double room and $65 for a single room. Because space is limited to 9 people (plus Donna and Carla) and a one night’s deposit is required (checks made out to Union Church, please), we ask that you sign up if interested by Nov. 30th. Contact Donna Eder (859-868-1142) donnajeder@gmail.com or Carla Gilbert (859-985-1144) carla_gilbert@wind-stream.net to register or if you have any questions about the retreat.
Advent Begins Next Week! Advent is the beginning of a new church year. It is a time of waiting and preparation for the joy of Christmas. The color of Advent is dark blue to symbolize the night before the dawn of Christ. During this season we hear readings from the prophets and light a candle each Sunday at the beginning of worship symbolizing one of the gifts of the coming messiah. Join us for this special season of quiet before the joy of Christmas!
Danish American Christmas Celebration Dec. 2. Festive, family friendly fun for kids of all ages. 5:30 – 7:45 pm at Acton Folk Center. Santa’s workshops, caroling, live music, storytelling, refreshments, ris a la mande, live candles, Santa Lucia. Free admission. Donations accepted. Help us celebrate 25 years of a Berea tradition!
Handbells to Play for Annual Hospice Service, Dec 2. The Union Church Handbell choir has once again been asked to bring sounds of comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones this year. The special hospice service is open to all who have lost family or friends, and to those supporting them. At the EKU Center for the Arts, 2:00 pm.
Union Church Budget Meeting December 9, after worship and lunch. Why Come to a Budget Meeting? The budget of Union Church is the very core of our ministry. It’s often not thrilling, but it is a theological document that tells you where our values are and how we’ve decided to act those out. As the gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Please attend this meeting to help decide where our hearts will be for 2019. Copies available (2019 Budget, Budget Policy & Endowment Bylaws) in the vestibule and attached to this email.
Alternative Giving Market Dec. 16, 11-3 at Acton Folk Center. What to get that friend or family member for the holidays? Does your sister really need another sweater? Why not give alternative gifts this year that reach toward your loved ones’ hopes and dreams for a better world? Maybe what your friends and family really want for this year is health care, food and housing for those in need – or maybe disaster relief. Come and shop for that alternative gift for your loved ones.Volunteers make this event a success!! Can you to make chili and cookies, set up from 10-1, clean up after the event, contribute funds for advertising? (send to Union Church, designate for Alternative Christmas ads). Call Annriette Stolte if you can help with these tasks, 986-9032 or annriette@ roadrunner.com
Christmas Caroling: Sunday December 16th at 4:00 pm. Help is needed to plan the details of this event. Please contact Laura (call or text) at 859-358-0106 or joyfulsunflower @gmail.com to volunteer your fun-planning skills!
St. Clare Christmas Basket Program! Each year we partner with St. Clare to help provide food staples and children’s gifts for the holidays. We have often gotten a corporate donation of toys from Hasbro, but they are unable this year. Thus, specific toys are in definite need. In the sanctuary each week from now until December 16, you will find information about how to provide food for families of various sizes. Your items, put into a cardboard box (or boxes), along with any toys or children’s books, do not need to be delivered to St. Clare until later in December. We will however, collect toys and food baskets here if you wish, or would like help transporting your items. If you wish to make a financial contribution in lieu of shopping yourself, here are the recommended donation amounts: 1-2 person family: $70; 3-4 person family: $95; 5-6 person family: $105; 7 + person family: $115
A more comprehensive list of toys will be sent out soon, but specific toys needed now include: Legos, Lincoln Logs, KNex, building blocks, Magnetix, tractors/ trucks/ cars, dolls and doll house furniture, play kitchen and food sets, puzzles, stacking toys, headphones, basketballs and soccer balls and jump ropes.
Adopt a Gift for Liberty Place Recovery Center Residents and Their Children. Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women is one of our Union Church Mission and Service projects as we support women who are making the courageous and difficult journey to freedom from addiction. While a resident of the recovery center, women are not able to work, so providing for themselves and for their families is always a factor. This year you can help by adopting a resident or their children for a Christmas present. Provide your name and contact information in the basket on the giving table at church, or send it to Dodie Murphy, dodiemurfmsw@yahoo.com or call 859-868-9622 and you’ll be provided with the specific sizes and needs of your resident or their children. Many thanks for helping make the season brighter for those most in need!
Dancers of all abilities and skills are enthusiastically invited to help us dance in the light on Christmas Eve. Dancers begin the service with slow and lovely music as we light the worship candles for the service. If you would like to join (no experience necessary), contact Carla Gilbert (859-985-1144 or 859-358-2962) . Rehearsals will be scheduled as soon as the group is assembled.
Have a Heart For Fellowship, Communication and Welcoming New Members? We Need 3! The Community Life and Growth Board of the church helps “outsiders” become “insiders” by helping Rev. Kent welcome new members, get people acquainted with each other for ministry and spiritual support, and oversees our website, social media, and media outreach (advertisements, banners, webcasts, etc). We need three people to help fulfill this vital work with our pastor. Is one of them you? Please contact Carla Gilbert of the Nominating Board: carla_gilbert@ windstream.net or call the church office!
LOOKING AHEAD:
Want to know more about economic justice efforts in Kentucky? Grace McKenzie attend a meeting on Dec 8th with Kentuckians for the Common-wealth 10:30-4:30 in Lexington or Frankfort (location TBD) and can invite a few other folks. Please email her at grace@kftc.org if you are interested in attending.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher! Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup. com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders! OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
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