THE CONNECTION

Jefferson United
Methodist Church
Located at
115 E. Main St.
Jefferson, NC 28640

December 2015

GRATITUDE ABOUNDS
I am so thankful for our paid and volunteer
church staff and the ministries that they have
carried out in 2015!

OUR SUNDAY
WORSHIP

SCHEDULE
10:00 A.M.
Sunday School

11:00 A.M.
Traditional Service

Pastor
Karen Miller

ON THE INSIDE
Our People
2
Responsibilities 5
Children, Youth and
Families
7
Calendar
9

cious Wednesday night meals prepared by

Jacky Brown.

The Church Council is very optimistic and has

As Director of Children, Youth and Fami- done a good job of communicating the prolies, Maranda Thomas, has led our children gress made in all areas of ministry, giving an
arena for discussion, and moving the church
and youth in their spiritual walk, and is
into the future.
deeply connected with the families.
The Committee on Nominations has been efAdministrative Assistant Ashley Church
has excellent interpersonal and office skills fective in nominating leaders and teams that
and has enhanced our publications, report- serve our church well.
ing, food pantry operation, and the morale The Finance Committee has given excellent
of the church.
oversight to the financial giving and budgeting
process, established the new Legacy Fund and
Music Director Zach Fulbright has been
invested the Building Fund to generate interest.
moving our choir to new levels, and his
contributions to worship enhance our abil- The Board of Trustees made massive building
ity to connect with God through music.
improvements in the past 2 years.
Andrea Gardner has been an inspiration on The Staff Parish Committee has put an excelthe keyboard for the 9:00 worship.
lent staff in place and provided evaluations and
Michael Bells gifts as a inspire us in wor- supervision.
ship.
The Stewardship Committee has conducted a
Clay Camp has a gift for bringing hand bell very positive and successful financial campaign.
music to life.
The Council on Christian Education has imDonnie McClure is our Maintenance Suproved our ministry to children, youth and
pervisor. In the short time he has been
families.
working, he has demonstrated great skills
Music Ministry is growing in strength and numin caring for our building, working indeber, and includes children, youth and adults.
pendently, and helping us be good stewThe worship committee has had new leaderards of the grounds and property.
ship and they are providing the behind-theBrenda Jones has served as custodian for
scenes work that allows worship to go well eveover 20 years, and we see the effort she
ry week.
puts into her work every week.
Teresa Weeks is a very caring and reliable The Food Pantry and Pastors Discretionary
Fund have served more people than in the hisnursery worker
tory of the church.
Christina Wagoner, our church treasurer,
United Methodist Mens group is a small but
has continually improved our accounting
extremely hard-working and service-oriented
system and accountability, as well as
group.
providing excellent financial reports.
Continued on page 2
Our fellowship is enhanced by our deli-

REMEMBER IN
PRAYER
Members
Bob Hughes, Evelyn Jones,
Family of Betsy Reeves
Family of Crystal Baker
Bill Ashley, Lee Lafferty
Sarah Neal (Margate)

Military
Ryan Avera, Casey Caudill,
Anatoly Ray, Riley Watson
John Wooten,
Jacob Hamilton
College Students
Jordan Ashe, Jason Baker
Shawn Baker, Katie Girtman
Matthew Hamilton,
Elissa Harrington,
Jake Harrington,
Michael Harrington,
Brandon Jones, Carter Kurtz
Anderson Moore,
Olivia Thore, Anna Wooten
Friends
Stan Hardison,
Bill Bailey, John Shatley,
Dorothy Green,
Swader Miller, Larry Phipps,
Kirk & Ashley Wood,
Kimberly Jackson,
Ruth Reed, Kiersten Sharpe
Ron Joyal, Bill Weaver.
George Ray Gouge,
Smitty & Emma Jewell,
Heather Harmych,
Leigh Scurry, Zeda Wilkes,
Joyce Nephew, Ed Baker,
Ramos Family, Alan Miller,
Chet Rataski, Benny Coe
Art Levi Family, Becca Miller
Our Staff
Karen Miller
Ashley Church
Maranda Thompson
Christina Wagoner
Zach Fulbright
Michael Bell
Clay Camp
Theresa Weeks
Brenda Jones
Jacky Brown
Andrea Gardner
Donnie McClure

OUR PEOPLE: GATHERED TOGETHER

UNITED METHODIST MEN
The United Methodist Men will not meet in
December.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The United Methodist Women will have their
annual catered Christmas lunch on Monday,
December 7th at 12:00 noon in the fellowship
hall.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship Committee will not meet in
December.
ACTIVE ADULTS
The Active Adults eat lunch at Boondocks on
Wednesday, December 9th. They will meet at
the restaurant at 11:30 AM. Please call JoAnn or
Glenn Crawley at 336.982.3773 to make a reservation. Please bring an item to donate to the
food pantry.

If you would like to receive The Connection by email, please contact Ashley Church at
jeffersonumc@skybest.com or call the church office at 336.846.9512.

GRATITUDE ABOUNDS CONTINUED

(Continued from page 1)

We sponsor a strong Narcotics Anonymous

Group.

United Methodist Women have a passion for

local mission, and are faithful in their fellowship There are many more, too numerous to list here,
and support for UMW projects.
who have contributed time, resources, and love
to make our church an exciting witness for Jesus
Our staff and volunteers have improved comChrist! I am grateful to be serving at Jefferson
munications through the bulletins, brochures,
United Methodist Church as we work together
newsletters, The Phone Tree and mailings.
to serve God and our neighbors in Ashe CounWe have a new Hospitality Committee that will
ty.
be working to improve follow-up with worship
Karen Miller
guests.

FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Finance Committee is grateful for the financial progress made this year across all
ministry areas. Our food pantry purchased over $25,000 of Second Harvest foods (at
pennies on the dollar) to support thousands of our hungry neighbors this past year. The
Pastors discretionary fund saw record income and outgo this year, meeting emergency
needs in our community. Our Trustees have repaired, replaced, painted and maintained
most of the church property assets this past year to upgrade us for years to come. The
Stained Glass Window fund, the Building Fund, and the new Legacy Fund have all been
supported faithfully by the JUMC family. And this Christmas, 100 needy children will
get Christmas gifts thanks to the compassion of this church family. What a church!
The operating budget through October has taken somewhat of a turn, as year-to-date
gifts are now $10,000 behind last year, while disciplined spending is even with last years
number. We recognize that the fourth quarter is usually the largest quarter for giving
and we have faith in the Lord and in the hearts of our congregation!
The operating budget pays salaries, electricity, heat, conference and district apportionments and other on-going overhead expenses. We encourage your continued generosity
through the end of the year.
Sincerely,
Wade Sanders, Finance Committee Chair
Page 2

THE CONNECTION

NEWS AND NOTES

ALAN BAKER FUND
We extend our sympathy to the family of Crystal Baker,
who died on October 6, 2015. Memorials may be
made to Jefferson United Methodist Church, PO Box
236, Jefferson, NC 28640. Please write Alan Baker
Fund on the memo line.
THANK YOU
Thank you very much for all the prayers, thoughts and
gifts. It really means a lot to us. We are glad we have
JUMC for a family.
Love,
Cheryl Baker

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

A Hospital for Ashe County: Four Generations of Appalachian Community Health Care is a new book by Janet
Pittard, who worked closely with Evelyn Jones to
gather pertinent information. There will be a Book
Launch Party on Friday, December 4, 4:00 - 6:00
p.m. at Florence Thomas Art School in West Jefferson sponsored by McFarland & Company, Inc.,
Publishers. Light refreshments will be served, and
you can meet the author and share in the documentation of the starting of Ashe Memorial Hospital. Copies of the book will also be available
through the Ashe County Museum and the Ashe
County Arts Council.

Please send celebratory messages which reflect our members talents and contributions to our church and our
community to jeffersonumc@skybest.com or drop your items in the office mailbox.

ADVENT MEDITATION
The Christian calendar marks time differently than the secular calendar. The year begins with the season of Advent,
which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day
and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent means "coming" or
"arrival." The focus of the entire season is preparation to
celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent,
and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his
Second Advent. Advent is about hope, expectation, and
preparation.

fills us with sadness or dread, which is true for many who

have experienced hardship or loss. It is valuable to recall
that Christmas is about God coming in the form of a person like us, to show us how to love and live.
If youre looking for biblical passages that express the Advent theme of hoping and waiting, you might think of
scriptures such as these.

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is

from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my forIt is not just hope for a better day or hope for the lessening
tress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance
of pain and suffering, although that is certainly a significant
and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
part of it. It is more about hope that human existence has
Psalm 62:5-7.
meaning and possibility beyond our present experience,
hope that the limits of our lives are not as narrow as we
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
experience them. It is not that we have possibility in our- worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to
selves, but that God is a God of new things and so all
us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the
things are possible.
revealing of the children of God; for the creation was
subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of
In addition to replenishing our hope, Advent helps us to
the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself
get in touch with our need for a Savior and to anticipate
Christmas with greater meaning and depth. We tend to fill will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain
the days before Christmas with such hustle and bustle that the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We
we squeeze out any chance of experiencing the sacredness know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor
of Advent. But with intention, we can we make Advent a pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan intime to focus more on God and to grow in our relationship with Jesus.
wardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of
our bodies.
When we light the Advent wreath candles each Sunday in
Romans 8:18-23
worship, we remember that our hope is in God. We are
refreshed in that hope, especially if approaching Christmas

NEW CHURCH BROCHURES

We appreciate Beth Harrington for creating our new church brochure! You can pick them up in the narthex and
hand them out to people who might be interested in our church. Take at least five and make a commitment to
hand them out to anyone you think might appreciate having a church home! Let's grow!

CHRISTMAS GIVING
The United Methodist Women are supporting the
JUMC food pantry for Christmas giving. As you do
your grocery shopping, please pick up extra cranberry
sauce, canned goods, saltine crackers, jelly, and Christmas candy for the food pantry. In addition, the UMW
is offering support for Ashe Early Learning Center. The
following supplies are needed as the flu and cold season

approaches: hand sanitizer, liquid soap, wipes, and

Kleenex.
Please place your donations in the boxes in the narthex
by Sunday, December 6. Thank you for your generosity.

UNITED METHODIST MEN FUNDRAISER

The United Methodist Men are selling peanuts for $5 to
raise money for local missions. The Jefferson United
Methodist Men have completed two projects which included replacing some lap exterior siding on a home
near Lansing and revitalizing a home located in Fleetwood where a disabled mother and daughter were displaced. Monies for these projects was raised by the

Brunswick stew sale last fall and the continued sales of

cheese straws and peanuts.
The Brunswick Stew sale in October raised $450. Future projects will be supporting the church outreach
programs. Contact Gaylord Snyder 336-982-8861 to
purchase peanuts.

RAISING FUNDS FOR OUR FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY

Our children will pass the tin cans to collect money for Jefferson's Food Pantry during the worship
service on Sunday, December 13th. Our usual
food delivery from Second Harvest food pantry is
15 boxes. They have reduced the amount of food
that they will be shipping us to 10 boxes for an
undetermined amount of time. This means that
we will be making up the difference by purchasing
food ourselves at the grocery store prices instead
of discounted rates. Any donation you wish to
make will be helpful.
Our food pantry will also host our first spaghetti
dinner to raise money for the food pantry. If anyone can donate a loaf of garlic bread and/or a pan
of brownies, sheet cake, or cookies to the spaghetti fundraiser, please contact Ashley at the church
office , 846-9512, or Karen Cooper at 385-6544.
Items may be dropped off at the church on
Thursday, December 3rd between 8 AM and 3
PM or Friday, December 4th between 9 AM
and 11 AM. Please join us on Friday, December 4th at 5:00 PM and help us feed our hungry
neighbors.

Smaking spirits bright

CHANGE IN SCHEDULE
CHILDRENS PAGEANT REHEARSALS
Rehearsal for the Childrens Christmas Pageant will be
held Sunday, December 6, 12:00-2:00.
WINTER BREAK FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS
Our hostess, Jackie Brown, has done an awesome job
providing meals on Wednesday nights this year. We are
also indebted to Kalen Fulbright for leading our children's
bell choirs, Mindy Wonsick for leading our childrens choir
and to Maranda Thompson, Colleen Dixon and Laura Kesler for their outstanding work with our youth. Following the
dinner on Wednesday, December 9, we will take a break
from our Wednesday night programming and resume on
January 6.
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
This years Christmas Cantata will be held on December 6
at 11:00 AM and is entitled, "A Fantasia Noel." It features a
collection of familiar Christmas carols from creator and
arranger Joshua Spacht with a twist of imagination and
creativity. With grand orchestral arrangements and exquisite vocal lines, these lush selections provide a blend of traditional worship styles with modern accents, guaranteed
to inspire you feel the warmth of Jesus in the holiday spirit.
This Cantata makes worshiping an exciting experience for
all ages!

There will be no 9:00 AM worship

in December.
Worship is only at 11:00 AM
Serving Our Church &
Community: Holiday Events
Dec. 2

Samaritans Purse
Operation Christmas
Child Packaging
Center, Boone 6-10 PM

Dec. 6

Cantata at 11:00 AM

Dec 7.

Gift wrapping at Family

Central for Ashe
Christmas Project, 6-8 PM

Dec. 13

Breakfast @ 9AM
Christmas Pageant at
10AM

Dec. 20

Adult Hand Bells play at

11AM

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve Service

6PM

Dec. 25

Christmas Day (Office

Closed)

Dec. 27

Love Feast

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES NEWS

YOUTH GROUP
Our youth meets every Wednesday night 6:30-7:30 P.M. in the Morphew house.
CHILDRENS CHOIR
Childrens Choir meets on Wednesdays, 6:00- 6:30 P.M. in the Johnston Classroom. For more information, contact Mindy Wonsick at wonz35@hotmail.com.
CHILDRENS BELLS
Jefferson Youth Ringers meet on Wednesdays, 5:45-6:30. Joyful Ringers meet 6:30-7:00. The childrens
bells will be playing on December 13, during the Childrens Pageant. They will then take a break until
school starts back in January. Contact Kalen Fulbright at fulbright@skybest.com for more information.

JEFFERSON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH

B
I
R
T
H
D
A
Y
S

December 2015
SERVICE

1 Trilby Wall
3 Polly Himm
Dan Aycock
4 Anna Wooten
6 Wade Sanders
7 Shelby Dowell
8 Heather Arreola
10 Janet Miller
John Fields Perkins
11 Michael Harrington
14 Barbara Aycock
17 Audrey Wasner
18 Jim Wooten
19 John Crutcher
24 Jim Weaver
25 Joe Duvall
27 Ruth Hurt
Kelsey Johnson
30 Jean Colvard
John Wooten

ANNIVERSARIES
18 Charles and Debbie Jones
19 John and Edith Crutcher
26 Billy and Laurel Smith

FLOWERS
The sanctuary will be beautifully decorated with poinsettias
and the Advent wreath during the month of December.
ACOLYTE
6
John Fields Perkins
13
Skyler Vannoy
20
Wil Vannoy
27
Becka Wonsick
CHILDRENS TIME
6
Beth Harrington
13
Karen Miller
20
Donna Weaver
27
Peggy Bailey
NURSERY
We need people who are 20 or older to assist in caring for
our youngest children once a month during Sunday school
or worship. If you are interested in serving, please contact
Karen Miller.
LITURGIST
Susanne Black
11:00 USHERS
Robbie Parsons
TRANSPORTATION
Jim Wooten and volunteers
Karen Miller will be on vacation December 28 through
January 4.

**PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE

IF YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES OR ADDITIONS.**

2015

insettias

GIFTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING:

THROUGH NOVEMBER 22
Crystal Baker
Cheryl Baker

Peter Cromartie
Brandon & Tracy Vannoy

Dianne Norris
Gerhard & Karin Kalmus

The Bakers
Cheryl Baker

Worth & Vea Dollar

The Ralph Reeves Family

Linda Parmalee
Kitty Parmalee

Susanne G. Black, MD
Swift Black
Swift C. Black, MD
Susanne Black
Paul Bower
Greg & Jenny Johnson
Carl & Agnes Cooper
Karen Cooper
Keith Cooper
Karen Cooper
Sonny & Ann Cope
Dottie Waechter

Jack & Bonnie Dunn

Brandon & Tracy Vannoy
Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Hubbard
Bo & Betsy Ziroli
John Mason
Michele Hayes
Judi Bower Miller
Greg & Jenny Johnson
Gayle Misoyianis
Edie Merritt
Carl New
Gerhard & Karin Kalmus

George Scott
Martha, John & Brian
Scott
Jim & Wilma Vannoy
Brandon & Tracy Vannoy

Dayton & Bernice Pennington

Wyatt Worrell
Karen Cooper
Cecile Worrell
John Perkins
Mr. & Mrs. N.A. Ziroli
The Perkins Family
Bo & Betsy Ziroli
Maranda Thompson
Wee Bo Ziroli
Bo & Betsy Ziroli

The Quinns
Cheryl Baker
Betsy Reeves
Clairene Cockerham
The Ralph Reeves Family
Lon & Clyde Reeves
The Ralph Reeves Family

GIFTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN HONOR OF THE FOLLOWING:

Paul & Loyce Horan
Gene & Nenie Midyette

Jessica Roland
Gene & Nenie Midyette

Evelyn Jones
Clairene Cockerham
Gerhard & Karin Kalmus

Florence Scott
Gaylord & Ann Snyder

Pastor Karen Miller

Brandon & Tracy Vannoy
Irene Morphew
Gerhard & Karin Kalmus

Martha Scott
Cecile Worrell
Alice Thompson
Cecile Worrell

Maranda Thompson
The Perkins Family
Brandon & Tracy Vannoy
Joe Worrell
Cecile Worrell

PEACE FOR PARIS

The President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops
that he sustains us with hope
issued a statement about the November 13 terrorist attacks in and that he will dry our tears.
Paris that included the following:
Once again, the forces of evil have tried to dominate;
Jesus wept.
but, as disciples of Jesus,
We weep for those in Paris.
we must make our witness that the darkness will not overcome our light.
for the senseless violence
Let us be in prayer for Paris and the people of France.
for the innocents whose lives were cut short
Pray for communities around our world that will not make the news,
for those who are grieving, who are frightened, who are hurting.
but cringe under the threat of violence.
We weep for those whose hearts are breaking,
May the Holy Spirit guide us
in France and all over the world.
in ways that will break this cycle of violence.
As several world leaders have stated, this is an attack on all humanity.
Even as we weep, we know that God is with us,

Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr.

HONORING OUR ELDERS

The members of our congregation who are in declining
health or live in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers are a
special part of our church family. Perhaps there would be a
way you could honor them this Christmas, such as with a
card, visit or go Christmas caroling!
Ashe Services for the Aging
182 Chattyrob Lane
West Jefferson, NC 28694
Mrs. Irene Morphew
Mrs. Rena McPhatter
Forest Ridge
P.O. Box 475
Jefferson, NC 28640
Mrs. Ruby Lum
Mrs. Jean Barnette
Margate
540 Waugh Street
Jefferson, NC 28640
Mrs. Polly Kennedy
Mrs. Evelyn Jones
Mrs. Sarah Neal
Mrs. Lee Lafferty (She is listed as Alice)

Robert and Liz Poulos

3403 Big Peak Creek Rd.
Laurel Springs, NC 28644
Salisbury VA Medical Center
1601 Brenner Avenue
Salisbury, NC 98640
Mr. Ben Harrison

(Please let us know if we have left anyone off this list.)

Christmas Pageant

"The Evening News Hour"

JUMC News crew is excited to report the exciting
news of the birth of our Savior.

Sunday, December 13

Mrs. Ruth Klutz (Resides at Morningside Assisted

Living, Gastonia)
C/O Craig Klutz
2968 Elder Court
Gastonia, NC 28-54
Jerry and Dorothy Jeremiah
380 Bucks Lane
Warrensville, NC 28693

10:00 A.M.

Sunday Worship Schedule

10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Traditional Worship

Church Office Schedule

8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Monday through Thursday

No 9:00 AM Service this month.

The office is closed on

Fridays!

Sun

Mon

Wednesday Night Schedule

5:45 Jefferson Youth Ringers
6:00 Childrens Choir
6:30 Joyful Ringers/Youth
Group/Adult Choir
7:30 Adult Hand Bells

Tue

Wed

9:00 to 12:00
Food Pantry

5:00 PM Wasner Winds

5:15 PM
Dinner/Choirs/Bells/
Youth Group
7:30 PM NA Meeting

Thu
3

Fri
4

Sat
5
7:30 PM
NA Meeting

Cantata

12:00 PM
UMW

9:00 to 12:00
Food Pantry

11:30 AM Active Adults

5:15 PM
Dinner/Choirs/Bells/
Youth Group
7:30 PM NA Meeting

15

16

17

9:00 to 12:00
Food Pantry

NO DINNER
7:30 PM NA Meeting

6:00-7:00 PM
Food Pantry Night

22

23

24

25

9:00 to 12:00
Food Pantry

NO DINNER AT
CHURCH
7:30 PM NA Meeting

6:00 PM
Christmas Eve
Service

Christmas 7:30 PM
Day
NA Meeting

29

30

31

9:00 to 12:00
Food Pantry

NO DINNER AT
CHURCH

12:00 to 2:00 PM
Pageant Rehearsal
5:00 PM
Disciple Bible Study

6:00 to 8:00 PM
Gift Wrapping
at Family Central

13

14

Tin Can Offering

9:00 AM
Brunch

5:00 PM
Disciple Bible Study

21

12:10 PM
Church Council
5:00 PM
Disciple Bible Study

27
PM
Love Feast

11

12
7:30 PM
NA Meeting

18

19
7:30 PM
NA Meeting

6:00 PM
Finance and
Trustee Meeting

10:00 AM
Childrens Pageant

20

10

28

26

Welcome!
Jefferson United Methodist
Church
P.O. Box 236
115 East Main Street
Jefferson, NC 28640

USA

FOREVER

Were on the web!

www.jefferson-umc.org

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS

May the peace and hope of

Christs birth
Be with you now
and in the days ahead
From your church staff: Rev. Karen Miller,
Ashley Church, Maranda Thompson, Christina Wagoner,
Zach Fulbright, Michael Bell, Clay Camp, Theresa Weeks,
Brenda Jones, Jacky Brown, Donnie McClure and Andrea Gardner