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TheOutlook

December 20

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Yearobservances are imminent. Whether weare awash in preparations, looking

forward to events, planning low-key time awayfrom mall traffic and expanded hours or aholiday mix (which beats a wintry mix) of allthose things, the holidays are indeed imminent.

No matter the imminent celebration of theseason, however, the meanings at the base ofeach holiday to which our calendared, specialdays point can be threatened by all ourdoings and our schedules to keep. Themeanings can also be challenged by theemotion-charged nature of these several end-of-the-year holidays. Examples? A couplecome to mind:

1. Nostalgia for holiday times past, forinstance, can obscure the present. Agood corrective for nostalgia can belooking at some old, family pictures andrealizing that our nostalgia is oftenladen with selective memory.

2. Spiritual Nostalgia can be a realspirit-killer, diminishing or eveneliminating our ability to celebrate orfind great meaning in the present-tensejoy of the holiday. Spiritual nostalgiaresults, in part, from an immersion in

the all-too-frequent clich that thepresentholidays are overlycommercialized; that all we have left isa cheap Xmas where Christ used to be.But the commercialization of Christmasis nothing new; overcoming the bah,humbug attitude of observingChristmas has been a long standingstruggle. So, maybe we just suck onanother candy cane and get over it.

chalktalk

BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER

TheOutlook

This fall our University Circle UnitedMethodist Church family expanded once againwhen ten new members were welcomedduring worship services on November 10 andDecember 1. Introduced to the congregationby their Faith Friends, these delightful folksagreed to uphold the vows of membership asDr. Chalker declared, You are in! Pleaseintroduce yourself and personally welcomethem to UCUMC.

DR. PAMELA ELLIOTT is a psychiatristwho divides her time between Strongsville and

Florida with her husband, Kenneth Rice. Shis a fourth-generation Methodist raised atRocky River UMC and is transferring hermembership from Trinity UMC in Palm BeaGardens, Florida.

JULIE GAMMILL GIBSON and herfamily relocated to Shaker Heights fromPittsburgh last summer. She had been told tcheck us out by Susan Ways sister, Jane,who is a member at First UMC of Pittsburghfrom which Julie and her 13-year-old

where all are welcome all the time

New Members Welcomed

I think Ive been given a glimpse of HeavenOur first Sunday service in October, Morven, a friend of member Heidi Denman, visited ourworship service with friends and was so moved by the welcome and inspiration she received thshe wrote about it in her blog the next day. Heres a shortened version of her message:

Oct 7, 2013These last few months have been really

hard. There have been times that Ive justwanted to crawl under a blanket and never goout of the door again.

Some very painful things have happened. A

very precious friend died years before hertime. Someone I trusted with my life betrayethe confidences I had shared. I discovered thother friends were bigoted against certainpeople groups and refused to even consider

Front row: Dr. Pamela Elliott, Sally Harper, Carrie Jones, Victoria Johnson. Back row: Thea Wilson, LeeWilson, Dr. Chalker, Jeneba Yaskey, Keith Hamilton

Gods Promises3 Advent Celebrations4 Help the Homeless7

University Circle United Methodist Church

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2 University Circle United Methodist Church December 20

Lets celebrate Christmas by enjoying lunchat the Edgewater Yacht Club (EYC). Wehave been graciously invited by John andJan Stahl to Decembers SECOND SUNDAYLUNCH at the EYC where they aremembers.

Located on Lake Erie adjacent to theCleveland Metroparks LakefrontReservation at Edgewater Park,EYC was chartered in 1914 as anon-profit organization dedicatedto promoting the sport of boating.The Clubs diverse membershipand the pleasant atmosphere contribute toits reputation as the friendliest club on thelake.

Lunch items range from $5 to $12 forsalads, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches andsmall plates; entres are $10 to $18.

RSVP to Betz Richards @ 440-235-9343, or email her at chefbetz1@aol.comby December 3. ALL are welcome!

New Schedule for RuachRuach is a regular practice of meditation,contemplation and reflection shared incommunity while in a sacred space. It is a timeaway from the clamor of the world and is

designed to deepen our spiritualityto rest,reflect and heal.Ruach uses the space, music,periods of silence and both sacred and secularliterature as a means for entering a still andcontemplative place.

There are three more dates left in 2013:Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7pm and the 1st and 3rdFridays at 12:15pm. However,beginningJanuary 6,Ruachwill be offered weeklyon Mondays at 12:15pm, 5:30pm and7pm, providing an opportunity to create amore regular practice of using meditation andcontemplation. We look forward to seeing you.

~Juliette Regnier, Coordinator

looking at these dear people in a differentway. I have been grieving for the differentkinds of losses that these each represent.

So, it was utter delight when precious new

friends reached out to us and invited myhusband and me on an adventure, and what adelight it was. They took us to their favoriteplace of worship, a beautiful cathedral inCleveland named University Circle UnitedMethodist Church, lovingly known as thechurch of the holy oil can because of itsspire. Ive livedoverseas and haveseen many cathedrals,but this one wasunique to any I hadvisited before.

The first difference

was that in everysingle entrance stood ayoung person,probably aroundcollege age, welcomingus. There was lifehere! Within secondsof entering thebeautiful building, itwas pretty obviousthat this was a colorfulvenueevery single hue of the human racewas represented, and it wasglorious. Different ethnic groups were

wearing gorgeous garments, there werebabies & children, lots of white heads & loadsof young people, well-dressed individuals andmany people from the other end of the socialscale, all equally represented. I saw people inwheelchairs, or with walkers, and some whohad mental disorders, and caring peoplearound them, making sure that every one oftheir needs was met.

And I was welcomed, perhaps like I havenever felt welcomed as a stranger in a churchfor a long, long time. There may have beenone or two people who didnt give me eyecontact, or reach out and take my hand and

give me a glorious smile, but I didnt seethem. It didnt matter my color, my age, mysocial standing, how I was dressed, my sexualorientationI was welcome. In fact, the signoutside the church said it all: where all arewelcome, all the time. They werent kidding.

There was the bit at the beginning of theservice where I normally cringe. You know,the bit where you are asked to greet yourneighboroh joybut this time was different.These people really meant it. They came fromall over the church to welcome us, not justfrom the surrounding pews. Even a lady in awheelchair made an effort to give me eye

contact and beckoned me over to offerwelcome.

There was glorious singing by the choir &the people. Some of it was in foreignlanguages with translation provided, some

was relatively new to me, some was of the deold hymn variety. There were liturgicaldancers, and both women & men took part ithe service.

The pastor modeled sensitivity and gracefrom the get-go. As the men and women whwere to serve communion gathered around

the table to receivetheir communion firthe pastor went toeach one, calling theby name and offerinblessing. There was very elderly couple i

one of the pews aheaof us, and the womawas struggling withgetting up andparticipating incommunion. Nomatterthe pastorbrought communionto her and to all theothers who wereunable to walk to th

table. And there was gluten-free communiofor celiac types like me. Wow. I FELTWELCOME!

The sermon was on Luke 17:510, havingfaith like a mustard seed, which I had heara hundred or more times before. But thisinterpretation was different. On too manyoccasions, believers have been erroneouslytold by perhaps well-meaning people thattheir faith wasnt strong enough or (else)their cancer would be cured, that theywouldnt be in financial crisis, that their chiwouldnt use drugs, or whatever. If they justbelieved it would all magically go away! Thipassage isnt about magic, its about thepromise of Gods presence when we are in thpain. The pastor said, No matter how sma

you evaluate yourself, in Gods eyes, you areenough.

When the service was eventually done anthe people were slowly leavingI whisperedmy friend sitting next to me, I think I havebeen given a glimpse of Heaven today. Surethat is what it will be like when we get therepeople of every shape & size, color & hue,sexuality & political persuasionbecauseNONE of it will matter anymore! All runninto greet one another, giving each other eyecontact and glorious smiles, and makingeveryone feel welcome as we gather togetherto worship our LORD. Praise be to God.

SUNDAYSECOND

LUNCH (SSL)December 8, 2013

Continued from page 1

I think Ive been given a glimpse of Heaven

. . .where all arewelcome, all the time.They werent kidding.

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December 2013 University Circle United Methodist Church

Y UTHNEWS

Uth Get Bishops PerspectiveTwelve youth and adults attended the closing worship service for theCommission on Religion and Race North Central JurisdictionalLearning Event that was held here in Cleveland in mid-October. Theyhad a special opportunity to visit with Bishop Julius Trimble and hiswife, Racelder, following the worship. This was an excellentopportunity for our youth to experience the broader United MethodistChurch connection and to hear the bishops more global concernsabout the future of our denomination.

Pizza with the Pastor has been a fun and meaningfulopportunity for Dr. Chalker to connect with our youth. He met withthe High Schoolers after worship on the last Sunday of October andwith the Middle Schoolers on the last Sunday of November. This hasbeen an informal, entertaining chance for the youth to get betteracquainted with the pastorand visa versaand to enjoy some greatpizza at the same time!

The Youth will be singing in worship on Sunday, December 15.There will be rehearsals at noon on both December 1st and 8th for allwho are interested in participating. This will be a cool way for ouryouth to take part in a service while introducing the congregation to

new faith understandings.~Rev. Sharon Seyfarth-Garner and Dawn and Fred McElrath

th Fun!U

Promise is a concept weve been thinking about in Sunday School thifall. We began by focusing on the story of Gods promise to Abrahamand Sarah that one day your family will come to number more thaneven all the stars in the sky and all the sand that is on the seashore.You will be my special family, my people, and through you everyone earth will be blessed! We made beautiful jars filled with colored sanand wrote the names of our own family members on stars (take a looat our wall!) to remind us of this promise.

To help our children think about promises, we also invited Alice

Palda, a member of our church family and a gifted storyteller, to visiwith us. Alice told the story ofPeach Blossom, a girl who makes apromise to her family and must figure out a way to keep that promiseIn addition to being enthralled by Alices storytelling, the childrenloved making their very own origami designs that were an integral paofPeach Blossoms story. Now, as we prepare for Advent, we arehearing the story of Isaiah, the prophet who told of Gods promise tosend a Savior. We are learning that God always keeps his promises!

~Amy Wheatley, Director of Educat

As a University CirclUMC youth,FullCirclecombo drummerTim Seyfarth-Garnehas stepped upto offer his talent,so that the specialmusic we hearduring many Sundaservices can happenThanks, Tim!

Gods PromisesGods Promises

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4 University Circle United Methodist Church December 20

Its the most wonderful time of the year, and boy do we havea line-up of exciting things to bring to the UCUMCcongregation this Advent Season. The theme for this Advent

seasons is Love Came Down at Christmas, which youll hearplayed, sung and rung during the month of December!

Take a look at whats coming up as we celebrateChristmas and prepare for a joyous 2014 to come! Sunday, December 1 at 7pm the Mount Union

Concert Choir andWomens Choirwill present abeautiful concert of Christmas music not to be missed,complete with a chamber orchestra and our very ownorganist, Joanna Li! (See separate description)

Love Came Down at Christmaswill be usedthroughout Advent, including as played by the Bell Choir,sung by the Chancel Choir, played by FullCircle and sungas a hymn.

Chancel Choir offers the beautiful Let All Mortal FleshKeep Silent on the first Sunday of Advent.

The Bell Choir shares tunes such as Hark the HeraldAngels Sing, Away in a Manger, and Love Came Downat Christmas through the season.

The Liturgical Dancers present a moving Adventinterpretation on Sunday, December 8.

TheYouth offer a selection accompanied by FullCircle onSunday, December 15. Dont miss it!

Keep an eye out for Jeanie Vargo and our wonderfulGospel Choir as they bring musical offerings throughoutAdvent and Christmas Eve!

Sunday, December 22, our Chancel Choir sings anAdvent Cantataa compilation of exceptional anthems

and carol arrangements accompanied on organ and pianoby Joanna Li, with guest artist David Kasper on sopranosaxophone. Be sure to attend this Sunday morningservice.

GRACENOTES

4pmThis service includes the Bell Choir, Liturgical Dancers and fun carolsfor the whole family to enjoy.

8pmA moving service featuring our Chancel Choir, string quartet and oboea candlelight service to celebrate this special night

11pmThe FullCircle combo and various soloists lead this Midnight Mass,sure to be a contemplative time of meaningful worship.Im exhausted just typing all of that! How wonderful it is to have so many

talented and generous people offering music and arts as an expression of worsh

during this special time of year. This is a GREAT time to bring a friend to aworship service or perhaps even try out an ensemble yourself. Our churchs motgoes for Music and Arts ensembles as well: All are welcome, all the time! Peac

~Nathan Motta, Director of Music and A

Mount Union Performs Christmas FestivalEntitled When the Stars Held Their Breath, this years ChristmasFestival performed by the University of Mount Union Concert Choirand CantusFemina,accompaniedby strings, is

the firstperformanceof this Adventseasonmusicalcelebrationoutside theAlliance, Ohio community. Established in 2011, this annual festival nowfeatures nearly 100 student musicians from the Universitys choral andstring programs and will include selected readings as well as traditionalcarols.

Admission is free, and all are invited to join Mount Union alumniand parents at 7pm, Sunday, December 1, in appreciation of thisgroups exceptionally talented tribute to the Christmas message.

Christmas Eve features an evening of three services:

Gospel Choir Wants Y UIf you can carry a tune, maybe have sung in a choir or just loveto sing and are willing to share your talent in church, JOIN usThursdays at 7pm for a fun time as the University Circle UMCGospel Choir rehearses in the Chapel. Additional rehearsals areavailable Sundays at 9:30 in the Chapel. Contact Jeanie Vargo

for more information;jeaniecameron@att.net.

Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker, Senior Pastor1919 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106

www.churchinthecircle.com;216.421.1200

Outlook Editor: Jim Hogghoggwriter@gmail.com

Photographers: Jeff Day, David Hughes, Brian MischEditorial Staff: K. Shamp, E. Prince, C. Day, M. Abele

THE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE

OUTLOOK

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December 2013 University Circle United Methodist Church

We have many opportunities to be part of the prayer ministry ofUCUMC: Sunday mornings following worship, in the No LimitsRoom; Tuesday mornings at Panera at Tiedeman and I-480 (8:30am);Wednesday mornings at Einsteins in Lakewood (6:45am); and ouremail chain. In the coming weeks, we will be adding a telephoneprayer chain ministry to the mix. And if you would like to be part ofthis new venture, give me a call at 216-235-2562

*****Are you beginning to make that shopping list for the holidays?

Starting to feel the stress as the wish list exceeds the budget? Why notstep back and re-focus your heart on the real meaning of Christmas?The Uppity Women Sunday school class, which meets at 9:00 Sundaymornings in the Parlor, will be taking part in The Advent Conspiracy,beginning December 1. Worship More. Spend Less. Change the World.

*****Its not even Thanksgiving yet, and the stores are filled to

overflowing with Christmas cheer. But for some of us, a lossperhaps of a loved one, a job, even a dreammay leave us feeling lethan cheerful. The world invites us to Eat, drink and be merry, butmaybe we just dont feel like celebrating. If this sounds familiar, whnot give your tired soul a rest and join us Wednesday, December 4 a7:00pm for a Service of Healing and Wholeness. We will share wordof promise and hope from Scripture, light candles in reflection andoffer anointing as an ancient sign of the grace of God. There will alsobe opportunity for extended prayer time and laying on of hands, as

desired.This is just one of several opportunities that will be available ove

the weeks and months ahead to face and find ways to deal with griefpersonal loss and recovery following a loss. If any of them touchesyour need for healing, youre encouraged to be a part of them as theare introduced.

~Heidi Denman, MDiv, Minister of Pastoral Ca

A S P E C I A L C O M M U N I T Y R E S O U R C E

Continued from page 1

In the faithful pursuit of holiday happiness born of

renewed meaning, we might find it helpful to carve out timethe weeks ahead to focus not on nostalgia, but on gratitude,joy and making resolution to take a new direction in dealingwith old challenges. It can be pretty demanding work. But, tresulting spiritual experience and insight will create aseasonal energy far superior to anything nostalgican enerfar superior to the frustration and exhaustion resulting fromtoo many trips to stores promising to supplyall your holiday needs.

Contemplating gratitude andjoy andmaking resolution to take a new direction indealing with old challenges. Sounds to melike time well spent.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Holiday Happiness

9:00Uppity Women class, Parlor9:30Bible 101 class, Yoder Room

11:00Children and Youth groups meet11:00Worship in the Sanctuary

Visit us atwww.churchinthecircle.com.

SEE YOU IN CHURCH

What Should Church Be?Maybe you know it already, butyour church has a MarketingCommittee. Most churches dont.We do. We do because, with ourmerger, we recognized the need tofind ways to promote the uniquenature, the inclusive culture of thiscongregation. And one of thecommittees goals has been thecreation of a pamphlet that wouldsummarize what were about, so wecould share who we are with thosearound us.

This September, after monthsof member brainstorming andrefinement, the committeeintroduced a tool you can use tohelp tell others what your church isabout. Created by Jim and Kay Hogg using the committees input, and designedby Outlook artist Dale Bryant, this SHOULDNT CHURCH brochure canprompt readers who agree with each question to make their way to our church,where your positive reaction to their visit verifies what this pamphlet says weare all about.

Pick up a few copies next Sunday and hand or mail them to your friends. Invitethem to take part in one or more of this holiday seasons many unique offerings atUniversity Circle UMC. You can do this because, by now you know, theres nothingquite like your church. Theyll thank you for sharing this church, this spiritualjewel with them for years to come. And youll know that you helped build a legacyof inclusiveness this faith family so dearly wants to perpetuate, not only within

this wonderful circle but throughout this great city and beyond.

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6 University Circle United Methodist Church December 20

GINGERBREAD HOUSEDECORATINGSunday, December 15Gumdrops, peppermints, M&Ms and candycanes Its time for our annual GingerbreadHouse Decorating Event. Children, youth andthe young at heart (ages 299!) are invited tojoin in the fun and decorate a gingerbread housefor Christmas. Sunday, December 15 in the GreatHall following worship, our church family willgather for a Christmas potluck. And youre invited for lunch. The main dish and dessertwill be provided, and youre asked to bring a side dish to share.

During the potluck, well provide the houses and all of the candy needed to those whowish may decorate their very own holiday gingerbread masterpiece. A $5 donation isrequested for each house and advance reservations are required by December 8thso that we will have enough supplies for everyone who wants to participate. Tickets will besold outside the church office before and after worship. Bring your friends and a child youlove to church on December 15 to experience food, fellowship and gingerbread fun!

Finance UpdateDuring the month of October, nearly one hundred oour members participated in neighborhood meetinorganized by the Finance Committee. We used thesopportunities not only to share information about tchurchs finances, but also to gather information

from our participants about what they value aboutUCUMC and what their dreams are for its future. Inevery one of our 17 meetings, the two qualities valumost about our church were its diversity andinclusivity. We also learned about the mostappreciated programs and most important concernfor the future of University Circle UMC. Thisinformation will help us define a specific growth plfor UCUMC.

Here are a few more of the many things welearned: What do we think God loves about UCUMC?

Genuine friendliness Joyful worship

What are our most important programs? Neighborhood Basketball and Neighborhood

Lunch Dr. Chalkers classes Music & Arts

What concerns do we have? Transition plan for Dr. Chalkers eventual

retirement Maintaining an aging facility Making the chancel open, bright, welcoming

and visibleIn those meetings we discussed the challenges w

face financially, particularly without the lease incomfrom our E. 30th property that had helped sustain u

to the tune of $200,000 per year since our twocongregations merged. Because we believe in ourprogramming, which cannot survive withoutpersonnel, we have not proposed drastic cuts for th2014 Budget. However, our endowment simplycannot cover recurring shortfalls of $200,000 peryear in addition to capital repairs.

For these reasons, we are asking you to prayerfuconsider how you might increase your giving in theremainder of 2013 and in 2014 so that our church, truly remarkable blessing from God, can continue tprovide services and benefits to us and to ourcommunity. Please know that we are not asking thecongregation to shoulder the entire burden. Dr.Chalker is working daily and tirelessly on a solutionfor our East 30th property: a long-term tenant, abuyer, or most preferably both. In addition, in thefirst half of 2014, staff and lay leadership will devela plan for growth that will be presented to ourFinance Committee, Trustees and AdministrativeCouncil and then shared with everyone.

On behalf of the Finance Committee andleadership of University Circle United MethodistChurch, thank you for your prayerful considerationthese requests and for the efforts you make to helpour church be the spirit-filled, life-giving, dynamicplace it is.

~Nicole Lewis, Finance Committee Ch

daughter, RUBY GIBSON, transferredtheir membership. Julie is a stay-at-homemother to Ruby, Everett and Eva and ismarried to Michael Gibson. Ruby hadbeen confirmed at her church inPittsburgh, so she joined UCUMC alongwith her mother and has already becomeactive with our Youth Group.

KEITH HAMILTONwas raised inCleveland and has returned toWarrensville Heights to be closer to his

parents after living in California andNevada for twenty years working as adistributions manager. He is the father ofthree grown children and has reconnectedwith Lisa Taylor and her family sincemoving back to the area.

SALLY HARPERbegan attendingUCUMC this summer after finding ourwebsite and seeing the ad for our church atthe Cedar Lee Theater. She had just movedto Berea from Rochester, NY, with herpartner, Jim Vanar. During their firstSunday in worship, Jim recognized JimHogg as a childhood friend and Sally met

some of our other Berea members anddecided this is where she wanted to be!She is a retired librarian who also spendspart of the year in Florida but now callsUCUMC her church home, transferringfrom Asbury First UMC in Rochester.

VICTORIA JOHNSONwas invited toUCUMC by her friends, Carrie and GeorgeHicks, and, because of Dr. Chalkerssermons and the warmth with which shewas greeted on her first visit, decided tojoin. She is a benefits analyst for Key Bank,lives in Cleveland Heights and istransferring her membership from Church

of the Redeemer.CARRIE JONES arrived in Cleveland

late this summer as a viola student atCleveland Institute of Music. She hadplanned to check out churches in the areabut came to UCUMC first and never left!She is from Winnetka, IL, and istransferring from Trinity UMC inWilmette, IL. She is one of three sistersTRIPLETS!each attending colleges invarious places. Carrie has already sharedher beautiful musical talent with us, and

we look forward to more opportunities toenjoy her contributions to our worshipexperience.

THEA and LEE WILSON also visitedUCUMC at the invitation of the Hicks, theirfriends of 25 years. Thea had a long careeras an educator and administrator in theCleveland Municipal School District and iscurrently the Education Administrator withThe Music Settlement. Lee works ininventory control, and they live in SouthEuclid. The couple has three grownchildren, and they are transferringmembership from Church of the Redeemer.

JENEBA YASKEY, originally fromSierra Leone, is a graduate of theUniversity of Mt. Union and lives inShaker Heights with her husband, ArthurYaskey. She is a benefits administrator forKey Bank and also began attendingUCUMC at the invitation of her friends,the Hicks (Do we see a pattern here?).Jeneba is transferring her membershipfrom Church of the Redeemer. Sheappreciates Dr. Chalkers preaching andthe warm and friendly people of UCUMC.

~Judy Sockman, Coordinator ofMembership and Volunteers

New Members WelcomedContinued from page 1

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December 2013 ALL ARE WELCOME ALL THE TIME

Outreach ActionThis December, the Outreach Committee is organizing thecollection of outerwear for the January 2014 Homeless StandDown. Our biggest need is new or nearly new waterproof,insulated gloves and waterproof boots. During Advent, a tree willbe decorated with these donated items as a show of our annualsupport for this important cause.

Organized by HandsOn Northeast Ohio, the Homeless StandDown provides homeless individuals, families and veterans a dayof respite from the elements, renewal of the human spirit andreconnection to needed services that assist in the totality ofhuman wellness and sustainability.

This excerpt from a 2012 Cleveland.com article by BrianAlbrecht describes a few of the many ways the Stand Downimproves a day in the lives of Clevelands homeless and those whohelp them.

Bob Crosen, a Marine veteran, clutching a bag of clothesduring his seventh Stand Down visit, (states,) There are morekids here than last year, but theyve got to survive, too. Everyyear this crowd gets bigger and bigger, but every year thesupplies go down.

The soft hum of electric clippers drifted from one corner of theauditorium where the floor got furry as six hair stylists groomeda steady stream of clients. Maria McKee, 55, wearing a party hatand a red shirt matted with loose hair, said that ever since shestarted volunteering at Stand Downs eight years ago, shestopped accepting money for her work and only does haircuts forthe homeless at various shelters. There is tipping, though,that she bestows on each client in the form of a hug and a kiss.My heart goes out to these people, she said, because any one ofus could be there tomorrow.

Thank you for supporting this important effort with your giftsof gloves and boots, as well as donations you may give to UCUMCand designate for the Homeless Stand Down.

~Doug Blank, Chair, Outreach Committee

You Can Make Christmas Bigger and BetterUCUMC Outreach is excited to announce a newpartnership with Flat Rock Homesacommunity near Tiffin in Seneca County thatprovides housing and care for persons withintellectual and developmental disabilities.UCUMC member Amanda Nicol is FlatRocks Director of Development.

One of the most important annual events at Flat Rock is

Christmas, and this year each of us can help make Christmas biggerand better at Flat Rock by participating in the Christmas giftdonation drive. We have been asked to help by donating certainitems and/or financial resources. (Checks payable to UCUMC anddesignated for Flat Rock Homes Christmas.) Duplicate items are ok,and everything we deliver must be on the list. Donations will beaccepted through Sunday, Nov. 24, which may occurprior to thisOutlooks delivery date. If not, consider donating NEWLYPURCHASED items in SPECIFIC categories:

1. DVD/VCR players 2. Life Jackets (M, L and XL)3. Bedding/Sheets (see bulletin or call the church office for a

specific list of bedding items)The Outreach Committee looks forward to making this years

giving event a true success. Thank you.

ClevelandMetropolitan SchooDistrict CEO EricGordon addressedan investedaudience at theMENS GroupsOctober SpeakersForum. Pictured

[l-r]: Ed Dickson,Dave HundertmarkEric Gordon andDr. Chalker.

Neighborhood Basketball, Halloween and AwardsOn Monday, October 28, ourchurch hosted a special Trick-or-Treat Night in the GreatHall for participants in theNeighborhood Basketballprogram and other children of

our neighborhood. Churchmembers in costume handedout candy and led kids inseveral fun games.Entertainment included youngtumblers from a neighborhoodtumbling group, and prizeswere awarded to children with the most impressive costumes as determinby several basketball players who took a break to participate in the fun.

Coordinator Hassan Lee expressed great appreciation to all who gave oftheir time to participate in this positive neighborhood event, which attractedover 60 children and adults. That appreciation was reciprocated, as Hassanwas recognized for his hard work, organizing this successful and novelneighborhood event.

*****Most of the funding for this Neighborhood Basketball

program comes through a grant from NeighborhoodConnections, a Cleveland Foundation organizationsupporting grassroots community improvementprogramming. November 2, Hassan Lee was presentedthis organizations Exchange and Mutual Support Awardat their annual awards ceremony and gala reception,professionally planned by our own Kitty McWilliams.This award goes to individuals who utilize their talentsand those of others to improve the community with grantsupport from Neighborhood Connections. Congratulations to Hassan forcreating programs and volunteer opportunities that make not only ourneighborhood but our church a better place.

United Methodist Women Holiday FundraiserThe UMW is again selling the delicious Georgia Pecans for the holidays. Sam

price as last yearone pound package for only $11. Most Sunday mornings tUMW cart will be in the lobby area outside the Reception Room for yourconvenience. There also is a variety of Equal Exchange coffee, teas, andchocolates for your holiday shopping.

IN

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University CircleUnited Methodist Church1919 E. 107th St.,

Cleveland, OH 44106

DECEMBER1 Worship at 11am, Celebration of First

Sunday of AdventPotluck postponed until Dec. 15Mount Union Choir Concert, 7pm,Sanctuary

4 Service of Healing, 7pm, Chapel6 Ruach, 12:15pm, Narthex

8 Circlefest: Cleveland Childrens ChorusOrchestra, 14pm, SanctuarySecond-Sunday Lunch

10 Ruach, 7pm, Narthex

15 All-Church potluck and Christmascelebration following worship, withGingerbread Decorating, Great Hall

20 Ruach, 12:15pm, Narthex22 Christmas Cantata, 11am24 Christmas Eve services, 4, 8, 11pm25 Christmas Day29 Neighborhood Lunch, 1pm, Great Hall

31 Watch Night Service, 6pm

JANUARY5 Worship at 11am, Communion

First-Sunday Potluck, following worship,Great Hall

6 Ruach (NEW SCHEDULE) 12:15, 5:30,7pm

12 Second-Sunday Lunch, following worship13 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex20 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex21 Finance Committee, 6-7:30, Reception

Room26 Neighborhood Lunch, 1pm, Great Hall27 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex28 Lunch Bunch, noon, Wiggle Room

8 University Circle United Methodist Church December 20

Whats HappeningFind additional information about these coming events and others atwww.churchinthecircle.com

Neighborhood Basketball, Monday andThursday evenings

Neighborhood Volleyball, Wednesdayevenings

Neighborhood Lunch, last Sunday of month(assist)

Second Sunday Lunches (SSL) after worship

Lunch Bunch, noon, last Tuesday of month(except Nov.Dec.)

MENS Speaker Forum, quarterlyMENS Saturday Lunch, quarterlyChancel Ringers (hand bells), 6pm,

WednesdayChancel Choir, 7:15pm, Wednesday

Gospel Choir, 7pm, ThursdayLiturgical Dance, 9:30am, 12:30pm, SundayFullCircle Combo, Sunday morningsRuach: in 2014, Mondays (see article)Dr. Chalkers Bible 101 class, 9:30am,

SundayUppity Women class, 9am, Sunday

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