The Red Flame Messenger

DECEMBER 2009/
JANUARY 2010
Eden United Methodist Church
2820 East Church Street        Eden, NY 14057

FROM THE PASTOR

Hello, everyone!
      Thankfully, our annual church (charge) conference is done for 2009!  I thank everyone who contributed to it’s happening, and everyone who attended. It is very gratifying for a pastor to see so many interested people who can be there.
      As Thanksgiving Day recedes into the past, we in the church are looking at the Advent season.  Ah-Advent – that misunderstood time!  The modern world would have us believe that the four weeks before Christmas are the shopping, wrapping, shipping, baking, party-going – and those things are fun to be sure.  But for us in the church, we want to be careful not to pre-celebrate Christmas before it actually gets here.  Advent is a time for personal and congregational reflection on the reason for Christ’s birth – and how we fit into the picture.  Advent is a time to prepare our spirits to be receptive to God-in-our midst, so we can sincerely celebrate this part of our sacred story.  That’s why many worship leaders do not sing a deluge of Christmas carols in Advent – we are in a quiet time – a reflecting time – a self searching time.  We grapple with spiritual questions that help us consider God’s love for each one and for the world.  I do bow to the pressure somewhat, and plan one Christmas carol per Sunday in December, but largely we are singing Advent carols or hymns and hearing scriptures that are the background that becomes the backdrop when the birth story is celebrated.  The Advent coin folders we use help us start each day of Advent with a biblical thought, which I find truly helps a frantic pace become manageable.  It is my hope and prayer that we of the church can and may be the example to others of what Advent and Christmas really mean.  We open our hearts to the wonderful gift of “God-with-us.”  May these holy days guide us in celebrating Emmanuel every day of every year.
      At the appointed time, Merry Christmas to you all from Doris and me.
                          In Christ, Pastor Helen

PASTOR HELEN’S OFFICE HOURS
(subject to change for various meetings)
Tues., Wed., Thurs. - 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Fri. -  11:00 am – 1:00 pm  or
By appointment – please call the church (991-4211) or the parsonage (992-3586) to arrange a mutually agreeable time.
Thanks – pH (pastor Helen)

Mission Statement
The Eden United Methodist Church defines its mission:
 “To make disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, witness, study, service and fellowship.”
Value Statements
1. We are committed to worship that glorifies God.
2. We are committed to personal and corporate Bible study
and  prayer.
3. We are committed to support God’s Kingdom on this
earth through local, national and global missions.
We are committed to be the family of God.

COMMUNION SCHEDULE
     Communion will be offered during our worship service on Sunday, December 6 and Sunday, January 3 at the 11:00 am service.  Our servers for December will be Dawn Quesenberry, Janet Vice and Jackie Wenglik and for January they will be Diana Graovac, Lori Motak, Dawn Quesenberry.  Shut-ins and others unable to be present may call the church office (992-4211) to arrange for Communion to be brought to you.

CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL MUSIC
      Any music played for our Worship Services should be sacred in intent.  If you wish to play special music during either of the two Christmas Eve services, please see anyone from the Music Team (Jeanette Benson, Pastor Helen Hadley, Roz Warren, and Michelle Munro) by Sunday, December 6.  The accompanists need two weeks notice for any special music to be played.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN DECEMBER
Nursery       
December 6     Ruth Bucki and Melanie Raduluff
December 13   Nancy Hussong and Kateri Anderson
December 20   Debbie Filbey and Allison Campbell
December 27   Alora, Aubree and Trevor Gross

Greeters
December 6     Peter and Dawn Zopp
December 13   Rodney, Heather, Derek, Bradley & Drew Palmerton
December 20   Chris, Michelle and Melanie Raduluff
December 24   7:30 pm     John, Kathy & Jennifer Kappus
                           11:00 pm   George and Diana Graovac
December 27    Warren and Linda Jensen

Lay Readers
December 6     Paula Kramer
December 13   Sue Schnaufer
December 20   Chris Raduluff
December 27   Carol Brodie

Acolytes
December 6     Trent Laing
December 13   Gabi Rohauer
December 20   Caitlin Glaser
December 27   Declan Pierce

Jr. Church
December 6      Michelle Schultz and Michelle Raduluff
December 13   Sue Roseman and Allison Campbell
December 20   Diana Graovac and Cullen Motak
December 27   Nancy Golba and Jessica Schnaufer

Parish Nurses
December 13   Nancy Lance and Kathy Maggs

Coffee Hour:
Frank and Carol Shattuck

ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
      We had an electric wheelchair donated to the church.  Please call the church office if you are interested in borrowing it.  Training needed, so please do not take before notifying office.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN JANUARY
Nursery       
January 3     Laura LeBaron and Allison Campbell
January 10   Chris, Michelle and Melanie Raduluff
January 17   Laura LeBaron and Cullen Motak
January 24   Josie Peterson and Kaitlin Schnaufer
January 31   Laura LeBaron and Jessica Schnaufer

Greeters
January 3     Jim and Wanda Hatfield
January 10   Michal, Beth and Allison Campbell
January 17   Bill, Jill, Mitchell and Trent Laing
January 24   Bruce, Josie, Jamie and Bridgett Peterson
January 31   Al, Kelly, Jake and Emily Carias

Lay Readers
January 3     Jim Munro
January 10   Josie Peterson
January 17   Diane Merta
January 24   Nancy Golba
January 31   Chris Raduluff

Acolytes
January 3     Gabi Rohauer
January 10   Trent Laing
January 17   Drew Palmerton
January 24   Gabi Rohauer
January 31   Declan Pierce

Jr. Church
January 3     Chris, Michelle and Melanie Raduluff
January 10   Cathy Jeffers
January 17   Michelle Rohauer
January 24   Debbie Longbine
January 31   Sue Roseman

Parish Nurses
January 10 Judy Heiler and Bev Hyatt

Coffee Hour:
Ron and Ruth Bucki

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
ATTENDANCE
 November 1    42      November 15    52
 November 8    44      November 22    54
 
Average attendance for November 1 – 22, 2009:  48
Average attendance for September – November 22, 2009: 42
 
      Our Mission project is to continue collecting coins for donation to Primera Iglesia church in Buffalo.  They are raising money to buy property to expand their programs.  This is a great way for us to help a church in need and we invite everyone to participate.  The next Second Sunday Coin Collections will be on Sunday, December 13 and January 10.
       4th Sundays of the month (December 27 and January 24) we are collecting canned or dry foods (cash donations are greatly appreciated, they can buy much more items at a reduced rate) for the Eden/North Collins Food Pantry.  All are invited to participate.  You can leave items or cash/check donation in the church office also.
      We extend an open invitation to anyone at any time to join a Sunday School class.  It's a great way to learn more and get to know people in the church. Jim Munro

SUNDAY MORNING VOLUNTEERS
     Be a part of our Eden United Methodist Church Sunday morning activities by calling and volunteering with one of our coordinators.
 SUNDAY SCHOOL  James Munro       337-2507
 NURSERY CARE     Laura LeBaron     672-8443
                                     Melanie Perry       337-2033
 GREETERS              ABetty Hill             992-3168
 USHERS                  Jim Nedimyer        992-4220
 ACOLYTES              Sue Roseman       992-3964
 COFFEE HOUR      Diana Graovac      992-3586
 LAY READERS       Carol Shattuck      992-3225
 JR. CHURCH           Nancy Golba         947-4896

NOTE FROM THE LAY LEADER
Season’s greetings one and all,
      We are in the Advent season and getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The greatest gift to be given is His birth. It is an opportunity for us to reassess our lives and see what is most important. Are we celebrating Jesus as the reason for the season, or the trimmings? It is always good to take time as see where you faith journey is at. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this season and know that God is with you in all you say and do. I look forward to celebrating the season with my church family and then looking forward to the new year and what that holds for us. It is a time for joy and wonderment for all God's children. And that is everyone of us, we are all God's children and loved by God dearly. So this year let each of us love and be loved as God has planned for us. Happy New Year!
  In God's love, Your Lay Leader,
  Dawn M. Quesenberry

2009 ADVENT FOLDERS
      Advent folders for 2009 were handed out end of November and are available in the narthex.  Money collected is going to Shared Ministries.  If you would like one mailed to you please call the office at 992-4211 or email us at edenumc1@verizon.net . 

PRAYER CORNER
Hello my children,
      It has been a pleasure hearing from all my children, know I hear all your prayers and look forward to answering them as is best for you. “I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, and they are plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Continue to come to Me with your prayers and whatever is on your heart, I want to spend that time with you. Enjoy this season upon us, celebrating the birth of My Son, Jesus Christ, and what the new year has in store for you.
      God, brought to you from the prayer corner.

TRUSTEE NEWS
      The trustees have ordered six hand sanitizers that will be located at various areas within the church.  We hope that these units will reduce the spread of influenza.
      On November 13 the trustees, with the help of the congregation, conducted an inventory of the church furnishings.  The interior of the church was also video taped.  This was a large undertaking, but necessary in the event we have to file an insurance claim.   Thank you to all the adults and youth that helped with this project.
      All of the carpets in the church have been shampooed except for the old sanctuary area.  Furniture had to be moved while the rugs were being cleaned.  Several individuals helped with the move.  Thanks for your help.  We could not have done this without you.
      We have talked to the brick engraver about completing the memorial walkway before bad weather.  The engraver is behind schedule because of the rainy summer.  He is not sure if he can do the engraving this fall.  If not he will complete the work in the spring.
      The church has been winterized.  We are still looking for volunteers to shovel snow for sidewalks.  Please contact Frank Shattuck if you can help.

TWO GIFTS IN ONE
      If you give a gift (not to early to think of Christmas) to someone through The Advance you are giving a gift to those in need in honor of a person.  Two Gifts in One.  The Advance is a perfect opportunity to do this.  If this interests you there is a wonderful website at www.advancinghope.com with all the information you need.  There is also a flyer on the Opportunity Board and extra copies in the church office.  See Pastor Helen with any questions.

VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP
      As part of Michelle Schultz’s Education requirements she will be doing a volunteer internship in the church office six hours a week from January – May, 2010.  We appreciate this wonderful contribution to our church.

DECEMBER MEETINGS
Tues.  Dec. 1   7:00 pm     Trustees Team Meeting
                          7:00 pm     Jr. Church meeting
Tues.  Dec. 9   9:30 am     Retired Men’s Fellowship
Sun.    Dec.6, 13, 20, 27   6:00 pm    Youth Group
JANUARY MEETINGS
Mon.   Jan. 4     7:30 pm      UM Women Board Meeting
Tues.  Jan. 5     7:00 pm      Trustees Team Meeting
Wed.  Jan. 13   7:00 pm      Nurture and Witness Team Meeting
Tues.  Jan. 19   7:00 pm      Church Council Team Meeting
Sun. Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31  6:00 pm    Youth Group

JR. CHURCH
     There will be a Jr. church meeting for volunteers on December 1 at 7:00 pm, if you cannot attend please see Michelle Schultz.

Advent Christmas Schedule 
Sun.   Dec. 6      7:00 pm     Eden Community Christmas
                            Celebration at St. Paul’s Lutheran  Church with 
                            scripture, carols and special music. 
                            Refreshments and fellowship will follow
Sat.    Dec. 19   6:00 pm    Church Family Pot Luck Supper
                            and Christmas Program .   Bring a generous dish to share  and your 
                            own place settings.  Dessert and  beverage provided.
Tues./Wed. Dec. 22/23 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
                            Living Nativity presented on the front steps facing East Church St.
Thurs.   Dec. 24   7:30 pm    Family Christmas Eve Service
                              10:30 pm  Special music in the sanctuary
                              11:00 pm  Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

POINSETTIAS
     We need a count of the poinsettias to order by Sunday, December 6, please fill in on the sign up sheet in the narthex how many of each color you would like.  Money is due by Sunday, December 13.

KETTLE DRIVE
      December is coming up soon, so please start thinking about helping out in the 2009 Salvation Army Kettle Drive – Wednesday, December 9 – Saturday, December 12.  26 volunteers are needed.  Call Diana Graovac if interested for times.  Watch for the sign up sheet end of November.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
     St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Christ will be the host for the 36th Annual Community Christmas Celebration on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 pm.  It will be a service of Scripture, carols and special music.  Gifts of non-perishable food and cash donations for the Eden/North Collins Area Food Pantry will be received.  At the close of the service there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments.
     We need four workers to work at the Community Christmas Celebration and 14 dozen cookies.  Please contact Chris (992-4211) if you can help or signup on the Opportunity Board in the narthex.  THANKS!

All Women Of the
Eden United Methodist Church

are cordially invited to
A Christmas Tea
“Christmas Bells”
Monday, December 7, 2009

Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Bring your favorite tea cup and favorite bell and enjoy an evening of friendship, music and Christmas inspiration

Tickets will be available starting November 15
(no admission fee)
Call Diana Graovac (992-3503) or Chris
in Church Office (992-4211)

Limited Seating
RSVP by November 30

CHRISTMAS CANTATA –
“A Simple Christmas”
       We will be doing a Christmas Cantata this year.  It will be on Sunday, December 13 during worship time. 

EDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD
     The Grover L. Priess Fund has been a means of helping a person or family in time of need for many years. The fund is administered by our pastor on a confidential basis.
     The primary source of income for the GLP Fund is the EUMC Christmas card. If you wish to extend “Christmas Greetings” to others in our church family, sign the Christmas card on display in the narthex – then place your donation in the basket provided. Envelopes are available for your convenience.

LOOKING FOR COOKIE BAKERS!!
New Life Circle and Friendship Circle will be making many Christmas cookie boxes to give to the Eden/North Collins food pantry to give out. If you can help - we need the cookies by Monday, December 14 (leave in the kitchen) please let any of the circle members know.  Thank you.

 “CALLING ALL CHRISTMASES”
      All Sunday School children are invited to join the cast of this year’s Christmas pageant as angels, Wiseman, sheep or shepherds. We have costumes and you don’t have to speak, just follow directions. Non-speaking parts do not need to attend all the rehearsals - just the dress rehearsal on Saturday morning of the performance. If you would like a speaking part, we are looking for a few more kids to represent countries around the world, to wear a traditional costume and tell about Christmas customs. If this sounds good to you please stay for rehearsal after church 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm. There is a sign up sheet on room 5's door. For more info: talk to Cathy Jeffers.
     The big day is Saturday, December 19, 2009. Everyone is invited to share in the Christmas fellowship.

Dress rehearsal - 10:00 am - noon in the Fellowship Hall
Potluck Dinner  -   6:00 pm   Bring a dish to pass and place settings
Performance -       7:00 ish  “Calling All Christmases”
Visit from Santa - 7:30 ish

OFFERING ENVELOPES
     The 2010 offering envelopes will soon be available in the narthex when you come to worship. Please stop at the table and pickup yours. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.  Please do not use the 2010 envelopes until Sunday, January 3.

NURTURE & WITNESS MEETING
     Our first meeting for the 2010 year will be on January 13 at 7:00 pm in the Memorial Room.  Please plan on attending if you belong to the Nurture & Witness team.  If you cannot attend please send a report either to Michelle Schultz or drop it in my church mailbox prior to the meeting.

LIVING NATIVITY, Tuesday/Wednesday, December 22/23, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
     Come to our 56th annual re-creation of the familiar story of the newly born Jesus in a manger, surrounded by barn animals and visited by shepherds and wise men who followed a star to find the special child.  This living portrayal is outdoors on the front portico of the old church building facing Church Street and helps you to imagine the birth of our Lord, and to come close to actually entering into the story.  As always, we will have live characters and animals. Volunteers are needed to portray the characters.  Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex.  Also, we would be pleased if any groups would like to sing Christmas carols at the manger scene.  Please contact Mike & Laura Forster for more information.

FAMILY MINSTRY
 January 15 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm we will be having a social craft evening.  Come and bring whatever you might want to work on we will have rubber stamps, ink pads, decorative scissors, and a few other items.  Come out and see what people are working on and get inspired.
 February 12 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm is our game night  bring your own beverages and games, come find a new friend to play an old game with.
 March 20  from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm is our Scavenger Hunt.
 April 9 I will be offering tickets for purchase to attend the North Collins Jr/Sr high school musical, at this time I do not know what the musical will be but as soon as I know I will announce it.    Michelle Schultz

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE
Wednesday, January 20 – 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Be Thankful – Give the gift of life – Donate blood

2010 CALENDARS
     The 2010 Calendars are now available in the narthex and on the kiosk outside the church office.  Please help yourself.  A big thank you to Laing Funeral Home for supplying the beautiful calendars.

CATCH THE SPIRIT DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING
     The 2010 Catch the Spirit Discipleship Training will be held Saturday, January 30, 2010.  Information as to times, location, workshops, cost, etc. will be shared as it is received.  Mark your calendar and plan to attend.  Please sign up in narthex.

HUMAN RELATIONS DAY
      Sunday, January 17 will be celebrated in United Methodist Churches as HUMAN RELATIONS DAY.  It is a time to recognize and give support to the right of all God’s people to recognize their potential as human beings in relationship with each other.  A special offering will be received on that day to support economic development in low-income areas and programs that reach out to troubled teens.  Flyers with offering envelopes will be included in the January 17 bulletin to receive your special gifts.

COMING IN JANUARY WILL BE
A SENIOR’S GROUP
     Joyce Maggs came home from Arizona with an idea she would like to implement for the seniors.  Once a month the seniors will get together for lunch and socialization.  The first get together will be held on January 8 at 12 noon in the Teague room.  A sign up sheet will be in the narthex so we can make sure there is enough lunch for all.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
      It’s not too early to think about your Christmas cards!  We have a large supply of Christmas cards with a photo of the sanctuary lined with poinsettias.  They come in boxes of 20 cards for $5.00.
 See Chris Raduluff (992-4211) in the church office if you are interested.

JOYFUL NOISE
     Children's Choir practice is Sunday mornings at 10:35 am in the K-2 Sunday School room. Big thank you to Nancy Golba for letting me use her room and time. We will sing about once a month in church. All kids grades K - 6 are invited to join us.

FROM THE FLOWER LADY
     The new sign up book for 2010 is on the table in the Narthex along with the old one.  One-sided arrangements will now be $18.00, two sided arrangements will be $23.00 and vases will be $18.00.
     Dates for altar flowers are first come, first serve.  If you have special dates you would like to reserve, please do so as soon as possible.  I will not sign up any flowers in advance unless I am asked to do so in person.  For those of you who are out of town reading this that request flowers during the year, please contact me in advance by email.  Email Chris at the church.  There is room for at least two families to have flowers each Sunday.  Should a date come up where the two spaces are filled, I can most likely accommodate a third arrangement.  There are other options we can use to make sure you have flowers.  The more flowers, the more beautiful the altar for God! Thank you so much,   Michelle Munro

2009 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
      2009 financial statements will be sent out in early January by Beth Campbell, financial secretary.  If you have any questions about your statement, contact Beth.

2010 FINANCIAL PLEDGES
    It is still possible to make a Financial Pledge for 2010. Forms are available at the church indicating a weekly or monthly amount. These pledges enable the Finance Committee to plan for the necessary expenses of our church. Regular giving makes it possible for the church treasurer to pay for these expenses as they are due.

NOVEMBER WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
November 1     109     November 15     103
November 8     112     November 22     108
Average attendance November 1 – 22, 2009:     108
Average attendance January – November 22, 2009:     107

MEN’S NEWS:
      Retired Men’s Fellowship will meet on Tuesday, December 8 and January 12 at 9:30 am.
      The next UM Men’s dinner is on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm.
 Peace and Love in Christ,  Mike Quesenberry, President, UMM

WOMEN’S NEWS:
Merry Christmas!
      THANK YOU to Linda Hock and crew for their untold hours of planning and preparations, and to all who worked and supported the Election Day Dinner.  Approximately 580 wonderful meals were served.  This is the biggest source of funds for our Eden United Methodist Women’s budget.
      THANK YOU to the Friendship Circle and the UM Men for organizing a successful Spaghetti Dinner in September.  Net profits were $1,125.75 of which $l,000.00 will go to help pay Apportionments.
      We hope you are joining us for the CHRISTMAS TEA on December 7.  What better way to get in the spirit of Christmas than joining with friends and sharing stories of Christmas Bells over a cup of tea, while listening to the special music and stories of the season.  If you do not have a ticket, please contact Diana Graovac to see if any are still available.  There is no charge.
COOKIES NEEDED, lots of opportunities
• 14 dozen cookies (and 4 people to help set them out) are needed from our church for the Community Christmas Celebration at St Paul’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec 6.  Sign up in the Narthex or call Chris at our church office.
• 40 dozen cookies are needed for the Christmas Tea taking place in Fellowship Hall on Monday, Dec. 7.  Let Diana Graovac or your Circle chairwoman know how many you can bring.  All Circles should be providing cookies.
• Monday, Dec 14, New Life Circle will be boxing up cookies for the Eden/North Collins food pantry.  We don’t have a count yet of how many will be needed, but in the past it has been 60 or more boxes.  Any contribution of cookies will be most welcome! 

COMING UP IN EARLY 2010
January 10 - Installation of Officers during the worship service.
February 1 at 7:30 pm - A Meeting and a Make-Over.  Jody and friends from Clinque at Macy’s McKinley Mall will be here to give us demonstrations and make-overs.  Mark your calendar so you don’t miss this fun evening.  Come and bring a friend.
Next Board Meeting – January 4 at 7:30 pm.
      We encourage all women to participate in any of our activities.  And don’t forget to stay warm and curl up with a good book from our Reading Program (located in the library) during the chilly winter months.
      Peace be with all of you this Christmas and in the coming year. Dawn Zopp, EUMC President

United Methodist Women Calendar of Events
Mon.    Dec. 7      7:30 pm      Christmas Tea
Sun.     Jan. 10    11:00 am    Installation of Officers at
                                                  Worship Service
Tues.   Jan. 12     6:30 pm      UM Men Dinner Meeting
                                                    (New Life Circle)

Circle Meetings for December/January
Mosaic Circle –
Monday,         Dec. 7    7:30 pm     Christmas Tea
Wednesday,  Jan. 6     7:00 pm

New Life Circle – 7:00 pm
Monday,   Dec. 14    Christmas Cookie Boxes for the
                                    Eden/North Collins Food Pantry 
Monday,   Jan. 11     Hostess: Donna Wittmeyer
                                    Program: Bazaar Project

Friendship Circle – 7:30 pm
Monday,    Dec. 14     Hostess: Ruth Bucki
                                     Devotions: Diana Graovac
                                     Refreshments & Program: Christmas
                                     Cookies – package for Seniors
Monday,   Jan. 18       Hostess: Michelle Wilson
                                      Devotions: Chickie O’Toole
                                      Refreshments: Alora Gross
                                      Program: Judy Heiler, Peru Trip

Alice Hines Circle –
Tuesday, Dec. 15     2:00 pm with Louise Hickman Circle
                                    Tea at Lillian Brenner’s home
Tuesday, Jan. 19      Hostess:   10:00 am - Carole Findeisen
                                    Program:  That The World Should Know

Louise Hickman Circle –
Tuesday , Dec. 15     Hostess: 2:00 pm - Home of Lillian Brenner
                                     Program: Tea with Alice Hines Circle
Monday, Jan. 25        Hostess: 12:00 pm - Gloria Nedimyer
                                    Devotions: Ivadel Williams
                                    Program: Circuit Rider Ministries –
                                    Joyce Maggs

CUTLERY ITEMS
Cutlery items (butcher knifes, knives, pizza cutters, food chopper, servers and peelers) are available for sale from Dorothy Mackey or other members of the Louise Hickman Circle.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS
      Meetings are on Sundays 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the basement for all youth who are interested.  We’d love to see you!  New faces are always welcome anytime!  Bring yourself… bring a friend… Hope to see you there!
      Thank you to Pastor Helen and Chris Raduluff for chaperoning at Fall Gathering and to the Motak’s for helping to get us there!  It was an amazing time with 19 of our youth attending, 3 youth participating in planning through DCYM and 2 youth even giving their own testimonies in front of hundreds of their peers!  What a blessed weekend! 
What’s going on…
Youth Bible Study! – Wednesdays 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm - Join Liz Quesenberry for a fun Bible study that will be going through the Devo’zines each week and talking about things that are going on with you! 
PRAYER REQUEST FOR MISSION WORK – Erynn Motak has taken on the responsibility of organizing youth from our area to join others from across the country in grades 7-12 for a mission work week in Nashville, TN in July 2010.  A number of our own youth are interested and we’d love for them all to go!  The trip is organized through YouthWorks and we will be helping in the community with established programs. The cost before transportation is $238, which includes everything for that week.  Our prayer is that anyone from our church who has the desire is able to attend, at no financial burden to them and their families.  We’re asking for your loving prayers and God’s blessing as the planning continues.  Thank you!!!
YOUTH – We’ve reserved 20 spots for the week of July 11, 2010 – July 16, 2010.  We need to know by January 10 if you think you want to attend. 
CHRISTMAS PARTY!  -  Date to be decided…. Watch the bulletins for more info!
‘SOUP’ER BOWL SUNDAY!
      Are you ready for some football?  Get ready for ‘Soup’er Bowl Sunday; it’ll be here before you know it!  The youth will be holding their annual soup sale immediately following church on Sunday, February 7.  We will be serving Chicken Noodle, Beef Vegetable, Potato, Chili, and Corn Chowder.  Quarts will be sold at pre-order for $5 and at the door for $6.  Get that corn chowder you may have missed at the Corn Festival!  Eat in will be available at no cost, donations very much appreciated.
      This is our biggest fundraiser and fellowship event of the year, and we can’t do it without your help!  (Our church family has always been so generous!)  Below is a list of the ingredients we’ll need if anyone is able to donate them, or money toward their purchase.  Anything at all would be GREATLY appreciated!  All ingredients are needed in the kitchen for cooking on February 6.  We’ll be making a bit more this year, so tell your friends and neighbors! 
   2 turkeys (or 4 chickens)             20 cans kidney beans        
   6lbs beef (roast or chunked)       30 cans tomatoes diced(16oz) 
   20lbs ground beef                        8-12 hot Italian sausage links
   4 cups chili powder                      1 bottle Worcestershire Sauce
   1 container dry chicken base      1 container dry beef base 
   paper napkins 300                       5 lbs grated cheddar cheese
   20 lbs potatoes                             2lbs butter
   18 bags frozen mixed veggies    18lbs onions
   11 bunches celery                         4 bags egg noodles 
   3 qts ½+½                                      3 pints whole milk
   6 cloves garlic                               4 loaves French bread
   oyster crackers                              2 large instant lemonades
   Salt and pepper                            Basil
*We’re also in need of quart containers or spaghetti/mayonnaise jars for those who wish to take soup home.  Please save your jars!  There’s a box next to the mailboxes to collect them.  ††† And as always, please join us for good food and fellowship after church on February 7! †††
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE…
LIGHTING OF THE WAY – What better way to be welcomed to our beautiful Christmas Eve service than seeing the candles twinkle in the snow as you come up the driveway…  In order to set the stage, we need help in collecting plastic gallon jugs.  Please start saving now, as Christmas will be here soon.
CANS AND BOTTLES, CANS AND BOTTLES!  – The youth have a large garbage bin in the hall on the way to the Sunday school wing for collecting your empty returnable bottles and cans. It’s emptied periodically and the money collected helps cover our $100 donation ($200 annually) to YSF at the gatherings we attend each year.  Thank you, Motaks!
* Please only leave RETURNABLE bottles and cans, preferably in a plastic bag.  Thank you! *
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call –
Liza Pope or Erynn Motak
From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  John 1:16

MISSION MOMENT
      A big thank you to Alora and David Gross who were chair-persons of Mission Committee for several years.  They did an outstanding job of establishing and coordinating so many efforts of this committee.  We prayerfully accept this new position, and it is our hope we can continue the leadership you both set forth.  We look forward to their continuance as part of this committee.  Alora and David- your input will always be needed!
      We will have the first meeting in January 2010, and look forward to serving the church in this capacity.
  Vern and Judy Heiler

CENTRAL CITY CAFE
      Do not forget – we need help.  Sign up for serving THURSDAY December 17.  Sign up sheet is on the board in the narthex.  The January date is not set yet but will keep you posted in the weekly bulletins.

CIA (Churches In Action)
    Christmas caroling - Monday December 7 at 7:00 pm.  Anyone wishing to go caroling to group homes with CIA, please let us know by NOVEMBER 30.  It is such a joy to bring Christmas songs and spirit to these folks!   We could carpool if desired. Judy and Vern Heiler -chairpersons

FINANCE UPDATE
     ‘Tis the season for celebrating Christ’s birth, spending time with family and Christmas cookies!
      BUT – it is also the season for high heating bills, snow removal costs and having to have lights on. As you settle in for winter and celebrate the holidays, please consider adding Eden United Methodist Church to your gift list. As we head into December, donations toward current expenses are $31,340 behind the budget approved this time last year. Thankfully we are not using as much as was budgeted for some items, but the risk is there.
     We have much to be thankful for as a congregation. Let’s keep our church and others in need in mind at this time (and throughout the year)!  Beth Campbell

THE RECYCLE DUMPSTER
Please: NO phonebooks, cardboard, refuse, food containers, pizza boxes, etc. – ONLY newspaper, catalogs, magazines, mail and paper.

A/V NOTICE
     If you need any items to be used for a worship service that involve the a/v system or for a meeting or event in the church building that needs - PowerPoint presentations, videos, pictures, music (please be sure you have the copyright to video, pictures or music) or words for hymns (that are not in the hymnal), please get the items to the church office at least one week before you need it.  Thanks for your consideration.

PARKING REMINDERS
      We are asking everyone to be extra cautious and considerate in our parking lot. Spaces for handicapped parking should be left for those needing them.  The area under the portico should be open for dropping off and picking up passengers.  The driveway next to the kitchen and Fellowship Hall and under the portico should be open in the event they are needed for emergency vehicles.  THANK YOU!  The Trustees

CHURCH COLUMBARIUM
     Our church’s Columbarium offers an opportunity for persons who wish to have their ashes inurned as a final resting place.  Niches cost $750 each and can be purchased at any time.  One-half of the cost is tax deductible as a donation to the church.  Application forms and/or other information are available from Jackie Wenglik, Columbarium chairperson or the church office (992-4211).

WORSHIP TAPES
    Cassette tapes of the Worship services are made each Sunday.  Contact the church office if you would like to borrow any of them.  Thank you to Tim Schnaufer and crew who care for the sound system and make the tapes.

OFFICE MAX
     OfficeMax has a way for us to get money back for returning ink and toner cartridges as well as cell phones (much more varieties are excepted this way also).  We have a recycling kiosk located in the hallway outside Fellowship Hall for collecting, and then we send them to OfficeMax in postage paid boxes and wait for our check.  Any questions please see Chris Raduluff in the office (992-4211).

DISTRICT AND CONFERENCE WEBSITES
     The Niagara Frontier District has a new website at www.nfdistrict.umcwebsites.org .
     The new union of Conferences also has an new informational website on the union at www.UpperNewYork.org.
     The Western New York Conference website is an important resource for all United Methodists.  It has conference and district news, calendar, event information, resources and more.  Bookmark the site at www.wnyumc.org.

ADDRESSES NEEDED
     Please notify the church office of any address changes at the earliest possible time.  Any newsletters returned by the post office with an address correction cost 50 cents.  Families with college students or persons in the military are asked to contact the church office with a current address for mailing newsletters.  This is an important outreach ministry of our church.  Thank You!

HAVE YOU REMEMBERED YOUR
CHURCH IN YOUR WILL?
     As a Christian you are a trustee of God-given gifts including the blessed gift of your own life.  God planned it.   We should plan our giving by leaving a bequest when our life ends.  Many Christians provide gifts to the church through this planned giving.  A bequest to Eden UMC in your Will can benefit both the church and your family.  If you would like information about wills, estates and planned giving, please call the church office at 992-4211.

REMINDER TO SAVERS
The following items are being collected for respective projects:
 Coins and loose change are being collected by the Sunday School to benefit the Sunday School Mission.  Use designated coin cans or your own container and bring to Sunday School or church on the second Sunday of each month.
 Box tops for Education (General Mills products) and Campbell Soup Labels and labels from Campbell products are given to the Education Program sponsored by Eden Central Schools.  Place them in the specially marked container near the mailboxes in the hallway by the office.

CHURCH DOORS
     Please call the church office (992-4211) in advance if you need to get into the church before 7:30 am, Monday – Friday or for a special event on a Saturday.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
     A federal law greatly restricts the disclosure of patient information by hospitals.  As a result, the pastor and church office may not know that a member of the church has been admitted to the hospital.  If you are hospitalized and want to notify the pastor, it is important that you (or a family member) inform the church office as soon as possible.  Call 992-4211 (church office) or 992-3586 (parsonage).

THANK YOU to:

     A big thank you goes out to all that help or participate in the Christmas Cantata.  This involves many: Choir, Roz Warren, sound and visual crew, the speakers, Chris Raduluff, Rev. Helen Hadley, ushers and any church mice we have left unmanned.
  Jeanette Benson

      Another big thank you goes to all the choir members who helped tally up everything in the choir room for the annual church inventory. Jeanette Benson

     Thank you to Chris Raduluff for all her help with the Charles Dickens performance - I could not have done this without you Chris; to Carol Brodie & Sue Roseman for spearheading the refreshments – it was just beautiful – ladies, thank you so very much; to Michelle & Melanie Raduluff who handed out programs;   to everyone else who sold tickets, supported my endeavor, or came to the show.  You helped make this a wonderful success.  Thank you all. Michelle Schultz

     Thank you to all who help with the Christmas play, especially Michelle Schultz, Gloria Nedimyer, Jim Munro, Beth Campbell, Kateri Anderson, and Cullen Motak. Cathy Jeffers

     Thank you to everyone for all the prayers, thoughts, cards and food while I recovered.  All the prayers where felt and helped speed my recovery.  May God Bless you all. Erika

      Big thanks to the UM Women for providing funds to buy some new greens for the “Hanging of the Greens”

     Thanks to Judy and Vern Heiler for helping with the November newsletter. Chris Raduluff