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JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2017

Dear Friends,

I am sitting here at my computer

in early December and wondering what can I write.

As I was lying in bed an idea came to mind. We

have come to that time of year when we see many

articles and shows on TV titled something like

“The year in review.” So, I thought I’d try to

summarize some of the highs and lows of 2016. I

apologize in advance for whatever events I may

miss. Arnolia is a very busy church!

Winter brought us cold and snow which closed us

down for a Sunday in late January. Many thanks

to our trustees for keeping the sidewalks and lots

open and clear—not an easy job. Bible studies

continued to be taught and well attended as did our

committee meetings. Church attendance was up

and down depending on the temperatures and road

conditions. Our music director, Keith Derrickson,

retired in January, and Jarrett Rettman, the

Rejuvenate praise team leader, started serving as

our interim music director. Lent started early and

we continued to share in joint worship services

starting on Ash Wednesday with our friends at

Linden Heights.

This early Lent, therefore, brought us an early

Easter with all of its meaningful services. An

electric sign, financed in part by some our

community business partners, arrived in time for

Holy Week. This sign enables us to better

advertise worship and ministry events to the

community. We continued to share in Holy Week

services with Linden Heights. Easter Sunday was

a joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus

Christ! Bible study groups and committees

continued to learn and practice how to be disciples

for Jesus.

ARNOLIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THE GRAPEVINE 1776 EAST JOPPA ROAD OFFICE HOURS:

BALTIMORE, MD 21234 MONDAYS - THURSDAYS - 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

arnoliaumc@verizon.net (CLOSED 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)

www.arnolia.org FRIDAYS – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

OFFICE - 410-665-7005 FAX – 410-665-7009 CAROL PIOTROWSKI – ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

REV. MARY ELLEN GLORIOSO, PASTOR Email: pastormeg@yahoo.com

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April, I took some well needed time off to recharge

my batteries! The work of Arnolia continued on as

our lay speakers delivered inspiring messages in

my absence during our worship services. We are

truly blessed to have so many people who are

gifted in speaking about faith.

Spring arrived and we saw the weather changing

from winter bleakness to flowers and trees full of

color. We had our annual spring flea market and

outdoor Arnolia Band Concert with food, music

and games. School and Sunday School went on

summer break and things slowed down at Arnolia,

right? Nope!

In early June, we had a Church Conference which

approved the lease for Woodhome Preschool and

Daycare. The daycare portion of the program

began August 1 and the school started after Labor

Day. Much work went into the building as

classroom space was made available. Many thanks

to our Thrift Store for their willingness to move to

another area of the building so the preschool could

comply with state/county regulations. The

conference room/ library area was painted and tiled

to give the thrift store a fresh space to do their vital

ministry. The halls are once again full of the

giggles of little children.

Over the summer, we once again sent a team to the

Baltimore County Christian Workcamp. We built

an access ramp for a woman in the Parkville

community. Vacation Bible School saw its

greatest attendance in many decades. Jarrett

Rettman had the word “interim” removed from his

title and he now heads up our entire music

program. In August, we again had a Penny War to

end summer as representatives from both services

took a pie in face for the good of our general fund.

Fall arrived and our most successful flea market in

years took place. Our Sunday School now has a

revolving team of teachers plus a new curriculum

to add variety for our children. All areas of

ministry including a newly formed committee,

Member Care, are working diligently to fulfill their

roles of making disciples and to serve Christ in our

community. Our 2nd annual Trunk or Treat was a

huge success with over 150 children in attendance.

A good crowd stayed to watch movies as well. At

press time, a new ramp is being built to the

kitchen/thrift store doors to make accessing the

building easier for all. Santa’s Breakfast broke

previous year attendance as 70+ people were in

attendance in early December. Christmas is yet to

happen as I write but community members and

non-choir members will join our Chancel Choir for

Christmas Eve service.

We have had a good year and have accomplished

many more goals of our vision 20/20 plan to make

Arnolia a center of worship and fellowship in the

community as well as fulfilling our mission

statement of “Following Jesus, Making Disciples,

Serving Others.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the loss of

some of our long-time members this year: Alice

Kidwell, Cheri Laumann, Harry Birkmaier, Lily

Mae Knabe, and Mary Shipe. We mourn their loss

and miss them deeply but rejoice that they are now

a part of the great cloud of witnesses in God’s

kingdom.

2017 has the potential to be an even better year as

we seek to fulfill more and more ministry goals. I

pray that you will be an active part as we all seek

to be the disciples we were created to be.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Mary Ellen

VISION 20/20: The Master

Plan for Arnolia United

Methodist Church by Richard

Disharoon

and Craig Nickerson

In the last Grapevine, we went through the five

areas of the Master Plan, and how we’re doing in

each area. Stay tuned for our annual update,

scheduled for mid-February.

20/20

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There is much going on at Arnolia, and we’ve

accomplished several significant items on our list.

However, this is no time to rest on our laurels!

Our mission is to bring people to Christ, and our

vision of making "Arnolia UMC a Center of

Worship and Fellowship in the Community" will

advance this mission. As we begin the New Year,

let us remember the five areas of our Master Plan -

Community Outreach, Missions, Member Care,

Worship, and Physical Plant - and look for ways to

help the committees of the church advance us

forward in these areas. Be watching for

opportunities to contribute, and help us all push

forward towards achieving our vision.

God is definitely sowing seeds among us today.

What kind of soil will you be?

Lenten Bible Study 2017

Lent will be here before we know

it! Ash Wednesday is on March 1st

this year with Easter on Sunday, April 16th. To that

end, the Wednesday evening study group will be

reading and studying Adam Hamilton’s newest

book Creed: What Christians Believe. These

classes will explore our beliefs as Christians

around the Apostles’ Creed. This is a great follow-

up to my recent sermon on this topic. I encourage

those who wish to explore their faith and beliefs at

a deeper level to join with us in this study. The

cost of the book is $13.50. Deadline to sign up

for this study is January 29th so that books can be

ordered. The class meeting dates are: February

22nd, March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th.

Classes will start at 7pm. Those wishing to have

dinner together are asked to meet on the church

parking lot no later than 5:30. The evening’s dining

location will be determined by those present.

Please let me know if you wish to be a part of this

group. Again, if you have not been a part of a study

group for a long time or ever, we are always

interested in having new members join us.

Developing a relationship with other Christians on

the journey can help each of us strengthen our own

faith and spirituality. I especially encourage our

committee heads, committee members, lay

speakers and Sunday School teachers to be a part

of this class. We can never know enough about our

faith or pray together often enough. Every study

we have done, members comment on how they

learned many new things about scriptures they had

read for years! We are never done learning—no

matter our age or how long we have been a

Christian. Join us for this study. It will be time well

spent!!

Worship: The decision to have worship on Sunday

morning will be determined no later than 8am on

Sunday morning among the Trustee Chair, Pastor

and leadership living near Joppa Road. The

condition of the parking lot, sidewalks and county

roads will be taken into account. We are on an

automatic snow removal with our contractor. The

problem may be in the timing of any storm.

Overnight Saturday storms may preclude the

contractor from getting us cleared in time for one

or both services. An email will be sent to all those

for whom we have an address. (Please make sure

you keep the office updated with additions,

changes or deletion of your email addresses). An

effort will be made to change the message on the

church answering machine. There will also be a

message on the Pastor’s home answering machine

(410-870-6738).

Office: The opening of the office during inclement

weather will be determined by the Baltimore

County Schools’ decision for the day. If they open

late or close early, we will alter our hours

accordingly. If the schools are closed, Arnolia’s

office will close as well. If for some reason the

schools are closed for a holiday, we will have to

make a decision using our best judgment.

Meetings: If the weather changes during the day

(either clears up or gets dangerous), we reserve the

right to cancel or continue with an evening meeting

or Bible Study. If you are in doubt about whether

a meeting will go on as scheduled, please contact

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the chair of your committee after 5pm. An email

will be sent to you as well.

Regardless of the decision to open or close for an

event, please use your own judgment as to whether

you attend or not. You know best the conditions

of your particular neighborhood. God would

rather you be safe than to risk harming yourself

trying to come to worship or a meeting.

CALLING THE ARNOLIA OFFICE

When you call the office, you will get a

greeting letting the caller know they

have reached Arnolia. When the message starts,

you may enter the following:

To reach Carol, press * then #

To reach the pastor, press 2 then #

Outreach Office, press 3 then # Church events and service times, press 1 then #.

This extension will also let you know if church is

cancelled for inclement weather.

Contacting us by email (arnoliaumc@verizon.net

or pastormeg@yahoo.com) are also a viable

option.

CELL PHONES

Please turn your cell phones to vibrate or

off before the worship service so they are

not going off during the service. Thank you.

Carol Piotrowski

Fall/Winter Office Hours for the

Church Office are as follows:

Mondays - Thursdays – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(Closed for Lunch – 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)

Fridays – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Check the bulletin weekly for any changes in

office hours.

If you move, change your phone number or

email address, please remember to inform the

Administrative Assistant of these changes so

your information can be updated in Servant

Keeper and the Church Directory. Also, if your

birthday or anniversary is not showing up in

Birthday/Anniversary list, I do not have that

information. Please send the Administrative

Assistant your information as well as immediate

family members attending Arnolia UMC.

Thank you!

Grapevine 2017 Schedule

Some hints for the Grapevine: the committees are

in alphabetical order. The Pastor’s Corner and

Vision 20/20 are first. Shepherds are under

Member Care; Thrift Store and Backpack Buddies

are under Outreach.

The Grapevine is published bi-monthly. Updates

will be available on our website and in the bulletin

as well as announcements.

Listed below are the deadline dates for the 2017

Grapevines. Please make sure you email or drop

off your articles to the church office on time.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Grapevine Edition Due Date for Articles

March/April 02/15/17

May/June 04/15/17

July/August 06/16/17

September/October 08/15/17

November/December 10/15/17

January/February 2018 12/10/17

HOLIDAYS FOR 2017 Monday April 17

Monday May 29

Tuesday July 4

Monday September 4

Thursday/Friday November 23/24

Monday-Monday December 25 –

January 1, 2016

SPRC has approved these days for the

Church Office to be closed.

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Mailing the Grapevine

In order to keep postage costs down, we

will mail the Grapevine only to those who

are homebound or who live far away. Thank you.

Thank you Arnolia Family for your thoughts and

prayers during my recent hospitalization. Thank

you to Rev. Mary Ellen Glorioso and Christie

Grape for their strength and compassion after the

passing of Bettijean Miller, nee Milner. We have

been friends for 52 years, grew up in Arnolia, and

at every event Bettijean and I were joined at the

hip. She will be missed. Laura Finney

Church Directory Update

Please check and see if you know if

anyone’s information is incorrect and

please update us. Thank you!

Bob & Mary Vickers

705 Compass Road

Apartment 304

Middle River, MD 21220

443-730-6170

ARNOLIA BOOK CLUB

The next meeting is scheduled for

Friday, January 20 at 1:00 PM at the

home of Janet Jones.

The book is "Small Great Things" by Jodi

Picoult.

Please call D’Arcy Cook at 410-668-8718 for more

information or to verify time and place.

CEMETERY COMMITTEE Wilson Cemetery grave sites are

available: $2000 per site for members of

Arnolia UMC and $2500 for non-

members. If you prefer, we can set up a payment

plan for you. Please call the church office at 410-

665-7005 for more information.

Who is interested in saving

money? We all are! Christie

Grape who monitors the

food coupons used to

purchase some the items on our list is interested in

starting a coupon club. At this time, she would like

to begin by asking members and friends to bring in

the coupon flyers we all receive through the mail,

in magazines and newspapers. The coupons

would be shared or traded among

members. Interested in learning more, see Christie

Grape and watch for more details coming.

Envelopes 2017 Offering envelopes for 2017 are

available. If you did not receive

envelopes and would like to, write it on the back

of the Attendance slip, or email

joeannafunk@gmail.com Joe Anna Funk, Financial Secretary

FAMILY LIFE

Joe Anna Funk, Chair

Breakfast with Santa was held on December 3rd,

and was a great success. This year Jarrett showed

a movie, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, while the

cooks and servers were distributing the food. We

served 71 breakfasts for children of all ages. As

usual Santa and Elfie were welcomed with cheers

and applause from the children. Santa and Elfie

made their way around the room, greeting each

child before inviting them to the stage for a reading

of “The Night Before Christmas”. After visiting

with Santa, they were invited to visit Santa’s

Workshop to choose gifts for their family

members, and have them wrapped by more of

Santa’s Elves.

A big thank you to all who volunteered to make

this year’s event a success. I can’t name you all; I

don’t want to forget anyone, but thank you for all

you did. Thanks also to those who made cash

donations, as well as gifts for the children to

choose in Santa’s Workshop. We have one family

outside of our church family, that has come every

year, and looks forward to this each year. The

profit this year, after expenses was $259.00.

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Movie nights at Arnolia! Family

Life is hosting a bi-monthly family

movie night for our members, their

family and friends, and our

community! Due to our licensing, the film titles

cannot be advertised in print, but we can assure you

that they are all family-friendly HIT movies that

you and yours surely cherish. Movie Night will be

on the last Friday of the "EVEN" months...the

doors open at 6:30 PM and the films start at 7:00

PM. Admission to the movie is FREE and there

will be refreshments for sale.

Below are the dates for this year:

June 30

August 25

October 27

December 15

Dick Disharoon, Chair

October 2016-Income/Expenses

Income: $ 19,687

Expenses: $ 17,278

Net: $ 2,409

October Utility expenses:

BGE $847

Verizon $193

October Apportionment

$2,471

Weekly giving required to meet operating budget: $4,565

Giving statements for October:

Date Offering Other Total

10-02-2016 $4314 $1849 $6163

10-05-2016 $180 $180

10-09-2016 $3698 $1142 $4840

10-16-2016 $3833 $372 $4205

10-23-2016 $1728 $277 $2005

10-30-2016 $2105 $137 $2242

November 2016-Income/Expenses

Income: $16,803

Expenses: $15,798

Net: $ 1,005

November Utility expenses:

BGE $794

Verizon $191

November Apportionment

$2,471

Weekly giving required to meet operating

budget: $4,565

Giving statements for November:

Date Offering Other Total

11-06-2016 $3612 $1015 $4627

11-13-2016 $4308 $509 $4817

11-20-2016 $2949 $2714 $5663

11-24-2016 $167 $167

11-27-2016 $2474 $469 $2943

YEAR-END REPORT

I am pleased to report on December 10th, the date

this column is being written, that it appears that the

2016 fiscal year will end with a balanced budget.

This was accomplished through the dedicated

giving of members and year-long support of fund

raising activities.

FUND RAISERS In response to many inquiries, the results of fund

raising activities for fiscal year 2016 are included

here:

Fundraising during the Year 2016

In Church

April Spaghetti Dinner $627.00

May Flea Market $3,197.20

June Benefit Concert $1,122.25

August BBQ $2,14.42

(After Expenses)

September Flea Market $4,124.48

(Includes $755 for

Jams & Jellies)

TOTAL $9,285.35

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Local Restaurants

May Texas Roadhouse $135.00

July Silver Spring $90.00

August Bertucci’s $171.94

August Gino’s $116.22

September Bob Evans $20.00

(Donation)

October All American $480.00

Steakhouse

October Dinnerless Dinner $980.75

December Chick-Fil-A $62.68

TOTAL $2,056.59

Other

Amazon Smile $49.13

General Council $34.41

Scrapbooking $45.00

TOTAL $128.54

GRAND TOTAL $11,470.48

2017 Pledges

Thanks to everyone who pledged continued

support to Arnolia’s mission in 2017. Special

thanks to those pledging for the first time. A

reminder that pledges can be submitted at any time

during the year. Please contact Financial Secretary

Joe Anna Funk.

Estate Gift Once again, Arnolia Church is the beneficiary of a

gift from the estate of a long-time member. The

Estate of Alice Kidwell provided for a gift of just

over $36,000 to be used in ways we think would

please Alice. In accordance with church policy, a

portion of the gift is being held in reserve for the

operating budget. Another portion of the gift has

been designated for the new handicap ramp at the

rear entrance to the church. A plaque in Alice’s

name was dedicated on All Saint’s Sunday and will

be prominently displayed beside the ramp.

Construction of the ramp was completed in

December.

Thanks

I am grateful to everyone, but especially to

members of the Finance Committee, for your

support during my tenure as Finance Chair. After

23 years serving on committees as a staff member

and a volunteer, it is time, as Pastor Mary Ellen

said, for a break. Dick Disharoon

Stewardship

An update on pledges received for 2017. As of

December 11th, we have received 51 pledges, for a

total of $144,800. Last year’s pledges totaled 64

pledges of $152,083. Thank you to those who have

pledged for 2017. If you haven’t sent in a pledge,

and still wish to do so; it’s not too late. There are

blank cards available at the usher station. Just a

reminder, a pledge can be adjusted during the year,

if your financial situation changes; you only have

to contact me to make the adjustment. A pledge

gives the Finance Committee an idea of what our

envelope giving is estimated to be for the year.

We do have some members that have pledged in

prior years, but we have not received a pledge for

2017. It could be lost in the mail; slipped your

mind, or you don’t feel able to pledge for next year.

I’ll be sending out a reminder letter, shortly. I just

want to be sure we don’t miss anyone.

2017 envelopes are available; if you do not have

envelopes, there are boxes available in the hallway.

Please take one and add your name to the list.

Thank you for your support of the ministries of

Arnolia. Joe Anna Funk, Financial Secretary

All fundraising activities must be approved in

advance by the Finance Committee.

Jennifer Sebree, Leader

My name is Jennifer and I am a Girl Scout leader.

If you know any girls that are interested in Girl

Scouts please contact me. I currently am running a

troop for girls in middle and high school. My

phone number is 410-245-5014. We will be

meeting Fridays nights – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at

Arnolia UMC.

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MEMBER CARE

Carole Disharoon - Chair

The goal of this group of Arnolians is to be

disciples, to fellow disciples, and to care for each

other in Jesus’s name. We met and discussed just

how we could best tend to our flock, and we

divided ourselves into areas of care we felt each of

us were called into. We agreed that we would be

right arms of our Pastor and that all that we do will

be coordinated with her leadership and vision for

this congregation.

At Home Care – There will be booklets placed on

the bulletin boards, in the Administrative

Assistant’s office, and around the Church. These

will include a lot of information our elderly

parishioners could use. This information is for

your use. We hope you find it useful. At Home

Care will be of dedicated people who will be

willing to assist those elderly at home, who need

assistance from time to time. This assistance

would involve necessary, not trivial aid.

Our dedicated people would be called for things

such as:

A ride needed for the doctor or to church

Ride for any business purpose

Someone to pick up medication (The

person would need to know your birth date

before going to the pharmacy)

Minor home repairs

Grocery shopping

Health concerns about pets

Dedicated People to Call:

Ed Calvert – 410-529-3806

Jerry Finley – 410-256-4485

Linda Miller – 410-668-2544

Ed Dyer – 410-661-1646

Sandy Winkler – 410-668-0346

Carole Disharoon – 410-661-6778

Shepherds to the Homebound

Carole Rathmell, Chairman of

Shepherds to the Homebound

If anyone knows of a homebound member of

Arnolia who would like a visit from a Shepherd,

please call me at 410-321-6620 or write it on the

back of your Sunday attendance slip. If our shut-

ins would like to attend an event held at Arnolia

and do not have transportation, also let me know.

Nancy Wolfe, Chair

Our Missions schedule for the year:

January/February – Manna House

March/April – TBA

May/June – Baltimore County Christian

Work Camp

July/August – ACTC, School Supplies

September – Board of Child Care

October/November – ACTC Thanksgiving

November/December – Angel Tree

Every morning an average of 175 clients come to

Manna House for the morning meal and an

afternoon snack. They come, needing the barest

essentials, such as clean clothing and food. If you

and/or your family or a group of friends would like

to become a member of the Manna House

Breakfast Club, all you have to do is donate $500

and then go to Manna House on the morning you

have reserved, and serve God’s children in person.

The experience is priceless!!! Men’s and

Women’s groups, Youth Groups, and other such

organizations from many churches are member of

the Breakfast Club. How about celebrating your

favorite holiday or a birthday by serving others?

Many do not have a place to live, subsisting on the

streets and occasionally sleeping with relatives or

friends who are able to help, albeit part time, so

warm clothing in this cold weather is extremely

needed.

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Arnolia has been taking care of the clothing room

at Manna House for over 7 years. Our team

receives, sorts, shelves, and distributes donated

clothing and household items for all ages, the most

needed being men’s pants, shirts, shoes,

underwear, and socks. The rewards are great -

smiles and big “thank-yous”, not to mention the

knowledge that each time we fill a request for

clothing, we are helping someone to at least be a

little more comfortable for a while.

For obvious reasons, sweatshirts, hoodies, and

coats are in huge demand this time of year. What

might happen if, each time we put on our warm

coats or sweatshirts, we thought even for a

moment, of those on the streets without such

garments to keep them warm?

Donated items can be placed in the Missions room.

Your donations are greatly appreciated by all those

who receive them. Here’s what you can bring:

men’s new or used shirts, pants, underwear,

socks, street-worthy shoes, and belts

women’s new or used underwear and

sturdy street-worthy shoes

sweatshirts, hoodies, coats, gloves, hats

small household appliances (toasters,

blenders, toaster ovens, hand mixers...)

dishes, silverware, kitchen utensils, pots

and pans, dish towels, dish cloths

bedding of all types & sizes (sheets, pillow

cases, towels, washcloths

We welcome new members to our team, which

meets on the church parking lot by 8:00 AM on

most Mondays and are generally back by 12:30.

Yes, we work hard, but we have so much fun, and

the comradery and fellowship make the time go

fast. Although we go weekly, even if you can be

there only once in a while, we encourage you to

come join us. If nothing else, come see what

Arnolia is doing to make a difference in others’

lives!

BOX TOPS FOR

EDUCATION

The Board of Child Care (BOCC) participates in

this program, which enables the organization to

obtain things for the children they would not be

able to afford otherwise.

Arnolia has joined The BOCC in collecting these

labels. A complete list of products on which you

can find the labels can be obtained from various

bulletin boards or from the church office.

Jarrett Rettman - Director of Music Ministries

(Contact Information -

jarrettrettman13@msn.com or 443-928-4237)

Attention all passionate hearts and minds of

Arnolia! Our Music ministries are up and running

in full force! Chancel Choir and Hand Bell

Choir rehearsals are on Thursdays, at 6:30pm

(bells) and 7:30pm (choir). Praise Band rehearsals are every Wednesday at 7pm. All

rehearsals are held in the sanctuary, and all are

encouraged to come and check out whatever may

strike your interest! Everyone has a gift to give and

the power to express the thoughts of our communal

hearts in Worship. New members are always

encouraged for all three groups: how will you

contribute?

If you are interested in joining the Choir, Hand

Bells, or Rejuvenate, contact Jarrett Rettman at

443-928-4237 or jarrettrettman13@msn.com.

Nursery Parents:

You are most welcomed to use the

nursery on Sunday mornings. The

pre-school class cleans/ empties

the trash when they have finished on Fridays. If

you use the nursery room, please leave it the way

you have found it with all toys put back and trash

(dirty diapers) placed in the restroom trash cans.

The changing table is located in the women’s rest

room. Thank you for your cooperation.

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ONGOING FUNDRAISERS

Amazon Smile

If you shop on Amazon, please

consider Amazon Smile and follow

the steps below to make Arnolia UMC your

charitable organization. Ask family and friends

who shop Amazon do the same.

When you shop at Amazon Smile, select Change

Charity and then select Arnolia as your charitable

organization and the church will receive .5% of

eligible purchases. Copy and paste the following

link for easier access:

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0882065.

Roof Fund – Please continue to bring your

loose change and drop it in the jug located

outside the Narthex.

Priscilla Calvert

As always, thank you for the canned goods for

Arnolia's Outreach Program. Our clients are

pleased that we offer canned food, shampoo,

toothpaste and head warmers.

The best to you in the New Year.

Arnolia Thrift Store

The Arnolia Thrift Store is proud to

be a member of Manna House

Breakfast Club. I'm actively trying to recruit

companies to participate in this important project

that assists our underserved citizens. Whiting-

Turner Contracting Co. is also a Manna House

Breakfast Club member, having paid for two

breakfasts.

We served a hot meal on Wednesday, November

16th. Joe Anna Funk drove Christy Grape, Joan

Walstrum and myself to Manna House where

we were met at 7:30 a.m. with a line of men

already ready to eat.

I asked Joan and Christy to share their thoughts

and impressions of their first-time visit.

Joan Walstrum wrote:

We went in to set up and serve the breakfast; for

some this would be their only meal for the day,

which consists of the main course, coffee or milk,

dessert and bread or roll. All of the food donated

goes to Manna House. I met Sissy, who is in

charge of the dining room. At 8:00a.m., Sissy lets

some of the individuals come in to eat, as there are

only so many places for them to sit down for their

meal. As they finish, another group may come in

to eat. This goes on until 10:00 a.m. when they

close for the day. The recipients of the meal were

very grateful and polite and thanked us for what

they received. Until you see this you don't realize

how blessed we are to have food on our table for

each meal and a roof over our heads to sleep. This

is a good mission for our Church and I am sure this

is very much appreciated by Manna House.

Christie Grape wrote:

When we arrived, there were people starting to

form a line to get in. Joe Anna gave us a short

tour. Manna House serves the area's needy with

food, clothing, job counseling and

showers. Because of lack of space, Manna House

serves only 30-40 people at a seating. There is a

lady who runs the kitchen area with a small

crew. She calls everyone "baby" and gave us our

assignments. Much of the food and equipment are

donated. Some of the equipment and appliances

are broken and need to be replaced, but they have

little funds to replace them. I was given the

assignment to hand out the bread and rolls. I also

helped Joan with the napkins and forks. We served

from 8-10:30 a.m. We walked out with a good

feeling helping others.

If you ever get the opportunity to serve at Manna

House, take it. You won't be disappointed.

Priscilla

Thank you to everyone that purchased the eye glass

cleaners! $265.00 has been turned in to support

the general budget.

11

Thanks to all our donors to our Thrift Store and the

best Sales Associates, we continue to do well. As

you know, Wilson Hall is available for rent along

with the kitchen. After the holidays, a company

will come in and give the kitchen a much-needed

overall cleaning. Because our store is doing very

well, we can pay the majority of this project along

with generous help from the Finance

Committee. The floors will be stripped and waxed,

new light covers, all appliances cleaned and two

coats of new paint. We will keep you posted.

Marlis Collins, Chair

D’Arcy Cook, Assistant

Christie Grape, Assistant

Ralph Wilson, Assistant

Can you imagine being homeless? Can you

imagine moving from one relative to another, not

having your very own bedroom or you own bed?

Can you imagine sharing a portion of your meal

with another child? Another adult? A child is

innocent of the causes which make them homeless

and hungry. Take a moment and recall some of the

memories of your childhood that have left an

impression on you for the rest of your life. I would

imagine for most of us, the memories that stand out

started out as ordinary moments, but somehow left

an impression that without realizing it, helped

shape our lives.

This is a memory you are creating now for an

elementary student when you help by purchasing a

food item for their weekend back pack. These

meals that we supply may be the one act that stays

with them and they may look back some day and

say that these simple meals made a difference, the

food helped them survive a difficult time.

Picking up a Hormel Compleat dinner, a fruit

snack pack, or a Chef Boyardee microwaveable

meal for a nameless child, may not seem like

much, but it is. It lets a child know that they are

important, that they haven’t been forgotten, that a

stranger cares enough to share. Who knows where

this simple act could lead a child. Pick up a food

item from the Backpack Shopping List and help

make a difference in a child’s life.

We know very little of the students’ life

circumstances, but we can make a difference, if it

is just a weekend of knowing they have some food

to eat.

Please remember that our program depends on

individuals like you to help us fill the bags every

week. With your monetary donation or by bringing

in food items from our shopping list, you are

providing food for a child for every weekend

during the school year, giving them a head start to

be the best student they can be this school year.

Please check out the shopping list and when you

do your grocery shopping and pick up one or two

food items each week. You can drop them off in

the Missions room or in the tower entrance as you

come to worship on Sunday. While in the Missions

room, check the bulletin board for coupons to help

with your purchase. Every donation makes a

difference. Thank you, Backpack Coordinators

ARNOLIA’S BACKPACK SHOPPING LIST

Single Servings – Microwaveable – Shelf Safe

* No nut products, please.

Hormel Compleats

Barilla Meals

Chef Boyardee Cups

Mac n Cheese Cups

Individual cereal box or instant oatmeal

Breakfast Bars *

Pudding Cups

Fruit or Veggie Cups

Tuna/Chicken Salad & crackers

Single Shelf Milk

Microwave Popcorn

Cheese Cracker Sandwiches *

Raisins – Individual Packs

Hot Chocolate Mix - Individual Packs

12

PAPER RETRIEVER

Thank you to everyone who recycles

paper in our paper bins. We are fortunate

that we have very loyal donors that come every

week bringing their paper. The company has been

sold and we now have additional items that can be

accepted:

Shopping Catalogs

Books, both hard and soft cover

Cardboard boxes - MUST BE FLAT

Boxed records or files

This is a fundraiser for Outreach Program which

benefits residents of Parkville (21234) with BGE

turn off notices, evictions, and food assistance. We

receive cash for every ton of paper collected.

SCRAPBOOKING AT ARNOLIA

Scrap Happening!

On the first Wednesday of every month, scrap

bookers (and other crafters) meet at Arnolia to

work on their albums and other projects. We work

from 9 until 12 (or whenever we decide to go out

to lunch!)

If you'd like to create a scrapbook but don't know

how to get started, just bring your photos and I'll

teach you. All are welcome. If you just would like

to crochet or knit but be around others, bring your

craft and join us. It helps to let me know of your

intentions to attend so that ample table space can

be arranged. Contact Beth Krebs at 410-817-

6505. Join us!!

Tim Hugus – Chair

Looking for excitement?

Looking for adventure?

Looking for danger?

Please allow me to recommend you for a volunteer

position on Arnolia’s Board of Trustees.

TIME: 4:45 am Saturday, November 26

Fire Department is called by our monitoring

system to respond to a smoke alarm going off in

the building.

Fireline calls Tim. (Lucky for him, his phone does

not register the message until 9:30 am.)

Fireline calls Larry. He was already out of the

house and could not respond.

Fireline calls George. Call did not go through.

Fireline calls Don Rathmell. He hurries up to

church and the fire department finds steam

escaping in the boiler room under the Thrift Store.

They turned the system off.

The repair is made (by Innovative Air) to a

coupling and a few minor repairs are made while

the system is drained and the system is back to

operational.

TIME: Mid-November

BGE is called for gas odor in the Kitchen and Hall.

They investigate and inform us there is no gas leak,

but the stove-top pilots are leaving an ashy white

residue that gives off the odor as it is heated.

TIME: Tuesday, December 6 A gas odor is detected behind Wilson Hall near the

gas meter and BGE’s supply connection. BGE

responds very quickly. After 8 hours on the scene,

they turn off our gas line to the new Sanctuary gas

heaters. They say our one year old pipe has a leak.

It is so severe they must check inside as well. BGE

finds a very minor leak in one of the boilers under

the Thrift Store and turn it off. (Luckily the other

of the twinned pair is OK.) BGE finds a leak in the

stove top in the kitchen. They turn the gas off in

the kitchen. Plumbers are called for estimates for

the underground pipe leak. First estimate to repair

leak is $4000. Second plumber, Sweet Air

Plumbing, wants to make sure it is indeed our pipe

that is leaking. After conducting a 24 hour plus

pressure test, he is able to have BGE return and

prove to them that it is their pipe leaking, not ours.

BGE turns gas back on and we have heat for the

Sanctuary for Sunday worship. A few minor

details will require repair or updating, but the

system is working well.

13

Be a Trustee:

Excitement!

Adventure!

Danger!

The Trustees continue to address issues as we are

informed of them. Some recent projects include:

the parking lot was restriped by George

Hartig, Jim Walstrum and Jim McGee

some tubes and one ballast were replaced in

the education classrooms

approximately 70 repair patches were

installed in the roof over the nursery. It has

been leak free but now another area is

leaking. Slate roof repair is ongoing.

the new entrance stoop and ramp at the rear

kitchen entrance has been poured. The

railing will be installed in 2 weeks after the

concrete has adequately cured

we anticipate the kitchen to be cleaned and

painted by an outside contractor in the first

part of 2017

Thanks to all the Trustees for their help

individually on some projects and collectively on

some other projects: Jim, Larry, Bill, Tad, Jim,

George, Mark, and Ed. These are some really

capable guys.

As always, please let any Trustee know of any and

all items that you think need to be addressed,

repaired, replaced or looked into. Thank you.

UNITED METHODIST MEN (UMM)

Larry Gowl – President

The Methodist Men will meet for dinner at 6:00

P.M. at the church on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 24, and Tuesday, February. 28.

Everyone is welcome to join us for an evening of

good food and fellowship. A sign-up sheet is

posted for reservations.

If you would like to join the UMM, or if you have

any questions about this ministry, call Larry Gowl

at 410-665-1266.

Marlis Collins – Chair

With the beginning of a new year, we want to take

a moment to thank Janet Hovatter who has

completed her term of service on the Worship

Committee. We thank you, Janet for your

enthusiastic dedication to the Committee.

We invite you to get acquainted with the members

of this year’s Worship Committee and share your

thoughts and ideas concerning Arnolia’s worship

experience.

The 2017 Worship Committee will be led by

Drennan Nickerson and Amy Vickers who will

serve as Co-Chairs. Members of the committee are

as follows:

Pastor Mary Ellen Glorioso,

Jarrett Rettman (Staff),

Allison Nelson (Power Point),

Dick Disharoon (Worship Emeritus/Ex-Officio),

Ed Calvert (Funeral Coordinator),

Beth Krebs (Wedding Coordinator)

(2017) Cal Tatman, Drennan Nickerson, Co-Chair,

Sandy Winkler

(2018) Amy Vickers, Kay Spriggs, Walt Hovatter

(2019) Joan Bond, Brian Carman

Thank you, members of the Worship committee

for taking time out of your busy schedules to serve

on this past year’s committee. Your willingness

and enthusiasm made it possible for our committee

to provide meaningful worship experiences for our

congregation. In closing, I would like to thank

Pastor Mary Ellen and all of the committee

members who served with me in the past 3 years.

Your support for me as your worship chair and

your willingness to pick up the responsibilities

when I couldn’t is deeply appreciated. Your

patience and encouragement has been a blessing.

14

Coffee Hour! Every Sunday from 10AM

until 11AM the Youth Group

will be selling coffee,

doughnuts, hot chocolate, and

tea! This is a fundraiser to help them go to the

youth ROCK convention in Ocean City this

February! Coffee Hour is more than a fundraiser

though! It's a way to create fellowship in our

church home and spread love and friendship. What

better way to do this than with some warm drinks

and sweet treats? Everything is $1.50 each and

there's plenty for everyone! See you Sunday

mornings!

Arnolia Youth Group meets every other

Sunday, from 12:30-2pm in the youth room

downstairs. Youth Group is open to all children

grades 6-12 (Middle & High School). We've got

some exciting plans in the pipeline (including a

return to the ROCK convention in Ocean City).

For additional questions/concerns please contact

Allison Nelson (allison.nelson@outlook.com) or

Jarrett Rettman (jarrettrettman13@msn.com).

Wilson Hall

The rates for renting

Wilson Hall have been

reduced! Please call

the Church Office for information.

Birthday and/or Anniversary

Missing in The Grapevine? We don’t have your information. If you would like

your birthday and/or anniversary published in the

Grapevine, please call or email the Church office

at 410-665-7005 and let us know when your

birthday and/or anniversary is.

JANUARY

1 Donald Rathmell, Sr.

8 Timothy Vickers*

13 Rev. Mary Ellen Glorioso

14 Logan Norman*

15 Carole Disharoon

16 Joe Dieter*

17 D’Arcy Cook

18 Dottie Annen

18 Wayne Grauer

20 Jerry Finley

23 Rodney Gist

24 Gail Krebs

26 Jill Woltkamp

30 Sandra Dawson

31 Nancy Mooney

FEBRUARY

1 Virginia Cox

2 Mark Spivey

3 Allison Nelson

3 Drew Walker

8 Amanda Tallent

10 Lloyd Boore

10 Dee Gowl

17 Andrew Virgilio

18 Phyllis Bell

19 John Gorsuch

20 Nancy Eshmont

20 Bud Laumann

20 Jarrett Rettman

21 Barbara Conrad

22 Kaytlin Hendley

22 Ryan Menegatti*

22 Richard Price

24 Tim Boellner

24 Joe Anna Funk

24 Mary Shine

27 Richard Chenoweth

15

FEBRUARY

11 Donald & Denise Sterlock 45 years

25 Brian Carman & 2 years

Felipe Emilios Rios*

Available Free of Charge –

You Just Need to Pick It Up

Panasonic TV – Plays Cassette

Tapes & CDs

29” Wide

18” Height

For more information – please call Nancy Wolfe,

410-931-3649

JANUARY 1

FEBRUARY 14

FEBRUARY 2

Please Note: ALL COMMITTEE MEETINGS -

All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the chairperson or pastor. Electrical outage or weather concerns may also force a postponement. Meetings may be added or deleted depending on the amount of business needing to be done by each committee area. PLEASE check your email or phone messages before leaving for any meeting in the event it has been changed. All changes will be made prior to the end of the office day (4:00 PM) whenever possible. Meetings begin at 7:30 PM unless noted otherwise. *

16

ARNOLIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Reverend Mary Ellen Glorioso, Pastor

Times of Worship: Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday School for all Ages – 9:30 AM

ARNOLIA’S LEADERS Council Chair: Bud Laumann Trustee Chair: Tim Hugus Staff Parish Chair: Janet Nelson Lay Leader: Craig Nickerson Finance/Stewardship Chair: Mike Pfeifer Lay Leadership Chair: Mary Ellen Glorioso Worship Co-Chair: Drennan Nickerson Amy Vickers Missions/Evangelism/ Outreach: Nancy Wolfe Christian Education: Shannon McCreary Carter Board of Child Care: Paula Pfeifer Member Care: Carole Disharoon Prayer Chain: Kay Spriggs Shepherds: Carole Rathmell United Methodist Men: Larry Gowl

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

If you are scheduled to serve in January or February, please mark your calendar and arrive at designated time for each position. If you cannot fulfill your commitment on the day scheduled, please call another volunteer on the list, exchange dates and notify the office of the change. Your commitment to the positions listed is essential to our Sunday morning worship and fellowship.

Worship Tech – 9:00 AM – Amy Vickers PowerPoint Presentation – 9:00 AM – Allison Nelson

Ushers – 9:00 AM – January – Drennan Nickerson

February – George Hartig & Linda Miller Communion Servers –

January – Brian Carman & Tad Wolfe February – Mike & Paula Pfeifer

*One Service

JANUARY ACOLYTES FEBRUARY ACOLYTES *1 Janet Hovatter *5 Mike Pfeifer 8 Walter Hovatter 12 Brian Carman 15 Don Krebs 19 Paula Pfeifer 22 Tad Wolfe 26 Beth Krebs 29 Joan Walstrum

JANUARY READERS FEBRUARY READERS *1 Tad Wolfe *5 Corinne Hammett 8 Beth Krebs 12 Kay Spriggs 15 Paula Pfeifer 19 Craig Nickerson 22 Mike Pfeifer 26 Rev. Katherine Moore 29 Youth JANUARY GREETERS 9:00 AM 11:00 AM *1 Joe Anna Funk 8 Karen Long 8 Janice Lark 15 Sandi Winkler 13 Phyllis Wadsworth 22 Wayne Grauer 20 Paula Pfeifer 29 Madeline Greenwood 27 Pat Potter

FEBRUARY GREETERS 9:00 AM 11:00 AM *5 Karen Long *5 Joan Weitzel 12 Madeline Greenwood 12 Nancy Green 19 Mark Spivey 19 Janice Lark 26 Christie Grape 26 D’Arcy Cook

FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS LISTED FOR YEAR 2016

*Sunday meetings begin at the conclusion of the last service (approx. 15 minutes after worship ends)

** Afternoon Meetings begin at 1:30 PM

*** Note the Change of Date

All weekday meetings begin at 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted

CHURCH COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULE FOR 2016

Church Council: Meeting Time: 7:30 PM Jan 10; Mar 14; May 16; July 11; Sept. 19; Nov. 14 Education: Meeting Time: 12:15 PM Feb 12; May 7; June 11; July 23; Aug. 13 Family Life: Meeting Time: Sunday @ 12:15 PM TBA Finance/Stewardship: Meeting Time: 7:30 PM Jan. 2; Mar. 6; May 9; July 3; Sept. 11; Nov. 6 Lay Leadership (Nominations): Meeting Time: 7:30PM TBA Missions/Evangelism/Outreach: Meeting time: Sunday @ 12:15PM Jan. 15; Apr. 2; July 9; Oct. 8 SPRC: Meeting Time: 7:30 PM Feb. 9; May 8; Sept. 18; Nov. 13 Trustees: Meeting Time: 7:30 PM Feb. 7; Apr. 4; June 6; Aug. 1; Oct. 3; Nov. 28 Worship: Meeting Time: 7:30 PM Jan. 3; Mar. 7; May 2; July 10; Sept. 12; Nov. 7

17

2017 MEETING SCHEDULE

CHURCH COUNCIL - 7:30 PM

January 10th

March 14th

May 16th

July 11th

September 19th

November 14th

EDUCATION/VBS-SUNDAYS - 12:15 PM

February 12th

May 7th

June 11th

July 23rd

August 13th

FINANCE - 7:30 PM

January 2nd

March 6th

May 9th

July 3rd

September 11th

November 6th

LAY LEADERSHIP/NOMINATIONS –

7:30 PM

TBA

MISSIONS-SUNDAYS - 12:15 PM

January 15th

April 2nd

July 9th

October 8th

MEMBER CARE - 7:30 PM

January 9th

May 15th

October 10th

SPRC - 7:30 PM

February 9th

May 8th

September 18th

November 13th

TRUSTEES - 7:30 PM

February 7th

April 4th

June 6th

August 1st

October 3rd

November 28th

WORSHIP - 7:30 PM

January 3rd

March 7th

May 2nd

July 10th

September 12th

November 7th

18

CHURCH COUNCIL – CLASS OF 2017

Chairperson Bud Laumann

Vice Chair Church Council Mike Pfeifer

Recording Secretary Ann Buckley

Lay Leader 1 Craig Nickerson

Lay Member to AC Craig Nickerson

Finance Chair Mike Pfeifer

Treasurer Evelyn Hartig

Finance Secretary Joe Anna Funk

Senior Pastor Mary Ellen Glorioso

SPRC Chair Janet Nelson

Trustee Chair Tim Hugus

UMM President Larry Gowl

Nominations Chair Mary Ellen Glorioso

Youth Representative Jarrett Rettman

Youth Allison Nelson

SPRC – Chair: Janet Nelson

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Janet Nelson Carole Disharoon Bruce Bell

Jim McGee Beth Krebs Walter Hovatter

Ed Dyer Andrew Virgilio Jerry Finley

Finance Committee – Chair: Mike Pfeifer

Richard Krebs Evelyn Hartig

Barbara Conrad Joe Ann Funk

Joan Walstrum Janet Hovatter

Barbara Menegatti

Board of Trustees – Chair: Tim Hugus

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Bill Grape Tim Hugus – Chair Tad Wolfe

Ed Calvert Larry Gowl Brian Carman

Mark Spivey George Hartig Walter Hovatter

Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Janet Nelson Sandy Winkler Evelyn Hartig

Jerry Finley Drennan Nickerson Priscilla Calvert

Carole Disharoon

Mission/Evangelism – Chair: Nancy Wolfe

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Ralph Wilson Paula Pfeifer Phyllis Wadsworth

Wayne Grauer Corinne Hammett Amy Vickers

Christie Grape

Coordinators of Youth Ministries

Jarrett Rettman and Allison Nelson

19

Christian Education Team – Chair: Shannon Carter

Shannon Carter Nancy Rampmeyer Amy Rampmeyer

Carole Disharoon Anna Nellies

Vacation Bible School Director – Allison Nelson

Worship Team

Co-Chair: Drennan Nickerson

Co-Chair: Amy Vickers

Pastor: Mary Ellen Glorioso

Staff: Director of Music Ministries: Jarrett Rettman

Power Point: Allison Nelson

Worship Emeritus/Ex-Officio: Dick Disharoon

Funeral Co-Coordinator: Ed Calvert

Wedding Co-Coordinator: Beth Krebs

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Cal Tatman Amy Vickers – Co-Chair Joan Bond

Drennan Nickerson – Co-Chair Kay Spriggs Brian Carman

Sandy Winkler Walt Hovatter

Family Life Committee – Chair: Joe Anna Funk

Janet Hovatter Evelyn Hartig Nancy Wolfe

Dee Gowl Kay Spriggs Karen Long

Tim Hugus Marlis Collins

Member Care – Chair: Carole Disharoon

Beth Krebs Ralph Wilson

Allison Nelson Nancy Wolfe

Carole Rathmell

20

2017 Lay Reader Schedule

January-May

January

*1st Tad Wolfe

8th Beth Krebs

15th Paula Pfeifer

22nd Mike Pfeifer

29th Youth

February

*5th Corinne Hammett

12th Kay Spriggs

19th Craig Nickerson

26th Kathy Moore

March

5th Wayne Grauer

12th Richard Krebs

19th Walt Hovatter

26th Tad Wolfe

April

2nd Paula Pfeifer

*9th Mike Pfeifer

16th Kathy Moore

23rd Richard Krebs

30th Craig Nickerson

May

7th Walt Hovatter

14th Wayne Grauer

21st Kay Spriggs

28th Corinne Hammett

*one service