October Celebration Newsletter by Natalia Fomin

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

October 2013 OUR VISION: To become a disciple making church

OUR MISSION: To make disciples by Loving God, Growing in Christ, and Reaching Out to Others University City United Methodist Church

OUR CORE VALUES:

3835 W WT Harris Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28269 phone: 704-369-8000 fax: 704-369-0481 www.ucumc.org facebook.com/ucumc1 twitter: @UC_UMC Worship Times: 9:45am - Traditional 11:00am - Contemporary Quarterly Celebration Sunday: one service at 10am Nov. 24th Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Your Faith Story... I have talked to many this year here at UCUMC who have shared their thoughts on their personal faith story. The comments I have heard range from...“I don’t have a faith story” to “My faith story is boring” to “I don’t know how to articulate my story”. I love that we are a participating church in the nationwide effort by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to bring hope to our community around us. This effort has brought to light the fundamentals a Disciple needs, and we should be teaching, in order to share this message of hope. This initiative has been the driving force for UCUMC to begin a teaching more specifically about how to share our faith story with others. Sharing a faith story begins with knowing your personal faith story. Believe it or not - We ALL have one. Whether you think it is boring or dynamic, we all have one. God has been at work in us from the beginning. We have all been on (and will continue to be on) a journey, discovering and learning about our faith in Christ each step of this journey. As part of our efforts to Make Disciples, we want you to take the time to consider these questions that will help you put your faith story together. We want you to be prepared for times when a friend, neighbor, coworker, family member, or even stranger needs your story as a message of hope to them. 1. What was my life before I met Christ? a. What was important to me? b. What was my priority in life? 2. What caused you to turn to God? a. What specific or significant steps or circumstances led to my understanding of needing Christ? b. How did God get your attention – through a friend, an event, worship service, bible, illness, divorce? 3. How did you turn to God? a. What were the circumstances? b. Who was there in your life at the time? 4. How has your life changed since Jesus became your Lord & Savior? a. How has Jesus helped you change? b. How has it given hope for you each day? Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need help doing this. Just remember - Your faith story is a way to open yourself up to someone who is seeking a new way. Keep it short and focused, at 3 minutes or less. Also, I invite you to join me on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:30 pm in the Chapel, where I’ll be talking about Praying Big & Telling Stories that evening. I look forward to seeing you there!

Tammy Cline, Director of Evangelism tcline@ucumc.org, 704-369-8018

Table of Contents

Unlimited Hospitality

Weekday School

Committed to Growing in Christ

Administration

Uplifting Passionate Worship

Missions Focused

Called to Serve To explore the Monthly Newsletter, click on any of the icons above to go to that Core Value’s page. On each page of the newsletter there is a link on the bottom left corner that says “Back to top”; click that link to return to this page.

Unlimited Hospitality A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. —John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Praise The Lord:

We welcomed and cared for 15 First-time guests in September.

During September, we were blessed with 20 New Members here at UCUMC! It was awesome to be a part of 4 Adult Baptisms as well! We celebrate these new lives in Christ and new members to our church family! We have over 60 people that have taken Matthew Training to be a part of our My Hope America initiative! We kicked off our Wonderful Wednesdays once again! Great food, great company, and great speakers and studies have begun. Come and be a part of the GREAT happenings on Wednesday nights!

Upcoming Events: New Believers! Is this YOU or someone YOU KNOW at UCUMC? Please let us know so we can partner with those who are on this new & exciting spiritual journey. We want to celebrate and rejoice as well as provide some special materials we’ve put together just for a new believer (all ages). Contact Kristen Hickling – khickling@ucumc.org or 704-369-8029.

Wonderful Wednesdays - Every Wednesday evening starting at 5:15pm come join us for some great food and fellowship. Join in a LIFE Group or stay in the Fellowship Hall for some great classes that will be offered. There will be plenty for the little ones as well. Come let your Wednesday be Wonderful! Also join us for our Fall 2013 Wonderful Wednesday Speaker Series.

Mark your calendars: • October – Prayer month for My Hope America & My Hope UCUMC • October 8 – Matthew Gathering • October TBD – Prayer Gathering • November 7 – My Hope Gathering

Unlimited Hospitality (cont.) My Hope America continues….We have been focusing on our Faith Stories. What is your Faith Story? Everyone has one and it’s just a matter of taking a little time to write it down & try it on for size. Check out www.ucumc.org/faithstories to watch videos of members of our congregation telling their faith story. Also, take a look at these upcoming opportunities to be a part of what we’re doing:

E T A D P U

• Have you visited our My Hope Blog? It is packed full of tremendous testimonies, encouragement, and motivation for us all as we are considering our own faith stories and how to reach out to others. Check out one of the posts below: I remember the first time being in the Turkana desert. I was thinking that I have surely lost my mind. I am 48 hours away from medical attention, no running water, no electricity and it is 108 degrees. I was feeling sorry for myself. I was hot, uncomfortable and we were about to dine on a goat that I watched them slaughter and throw on the fire. I was not sure I could take anything else. That experience has changed how I look at people. All people deserve to hear the Gospel. God tells us that it is His will that none would die without knowing Him but that ALL would come to a saving knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:9). All people deserve a chance to hear and respond. Click Here to read more of this post and find links to many others! • Share – Are you Sharing with others about what Jesus is doing in your life today? NOW is a perfect time for you to do this with neighbors, family, and friends who need to learn about having hope in Christ. If you need help in getting started, just ask Tammy or Kristen. • Get ready to pray! The month of October is dedicated to prayer; for the people of UCUMC to reach out, for our Matthews, for our Matthew lists, and for our upcoming My Hope Gatherings. Please include these in your prayers and attend our Prayer Gathering this month. • My Hope all church and community My Hope Gathering – Thursday, November 7th. We will be a broadcast site for the very special nationwide program from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association this evening. Come join fellow UCUMCers and those interested from the community as we watch this together. Bring a friend who needs to hear this message of Hope!

Tammy Cline, Director of Evangelism tcline@ucumc.org, 704-369-8018

Committed to Growing in Christ Hey! Fall is here and I am loving the weather!! My morning runs are easier and the crispness in the air on Friday nights at football games takes me back to when I was playing in high school…ahhh, what great memories but I digress. It’s also the Fall ministry season here at UCUMC and I am really excited about something new we are doing on Wednesday nights! We have put together a Wednesday Night Speaker Series that has many options over the course of the Fall. You can attend all of them or just one of them…they are stand alone seminars so you can go to as many as appeal to you and your schedule will allow…I would love to see you several times this Fall!! For more information and links to sign up visit www.ucumc.org/speakerseries. Here is the schedule, the speaker and the topic that will be covered: Oct. 2 - Helpful Hints for a Happy Home – Dr. John Rowe, Director of Davidson Counseling Center. Effective ways to handle differences, manage conflict while demonstrating love and acceptance…common communication patterns and our awareness of these patterns. Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 – Servant Leadership in a Fallen World – Brian Baylor, UCUMC Executive Director. Informal forum for leaders to discuss and identify blessings and challenges of being a Christian and a leader in the secular workplace. You can attend one or all of these sessions. Oct. 9 – Pray Big/Tell Stories – Tammy Cline, UCUMC Evangelism Director. Opportunity for prayer as well as understanding how to use your personal faith story to help others discover theirs. Oct. 16 – How to Be Angry and Not Sin – Chad Cozad, UCUMC Pastoral Care Director. Learn the difference between reaction and anger/God’s purpose for giving us anger as an emotion and also balanced approaches to dealing with anger. Oct. 23 – Praying for Children of All Ages – Jenny Reilly, Director of Christian Education, Salem UMC. Learn to make praying for our children, grandchildren and other special people more than just a checklist… learn creative prayer methods that can be used anywhere and anytime. Oct. 30 – Let’s Keep It Real! – Ray McKinnon, UCUMC Christian Service Director. Everyone has some sort of hurt/habit/hang up. Explore what it means to be real while figuring out that each of us needs the light of Christ in our life and to shine that light out to others. Nov. 6 – Road Map to a Happier Marriage – Mark Larsen, D. Min, L.P.C. Pastoral Counselor. Helpful marriage enrichment elements and components to help relationships become stronger. Nov. 13 – Children are an Inheritance from God – Rev. Aaron Wells, Pastor – Higher Living Church We also have some great L.I.F.E. Groups on Wednesday nights that you can find out more about on the church website…check them out and get plugged in so you can continue to Grow In Christ!! For Children (Ages 3 years-5th grade) – CrossTraining: Children’s Music and Arts Ministry 5:15pm-5:45pm -

Beginning Chimes

6:00-6:30pm - Advanced Chimes

6:30pm-7:30pm -

Choir, Drama, Dance, Guitar, Percussion

For Teenagers – Hang Out and Homework 6:30pm-7:30pm - In the FUSION Lounge, Lower Level of the Disciple Center If you were in church on Sept. 8th at our combined Celebration Service then you heard me speak about our Core Value of “Committed to Growing in Christ” and how important that is for each of us. I talked about how it is the responsibility of each person to Grow in Christ and as a church staff we are here to help you do that…to be your spiritual “personal trainer” so to speak. As you can see, there is something for everyone on Wednesday nights and I hope to see YOU here!

Bert Giles, Director of Discipleship bgiles@ucumc.org, 704-369-8020

adult ministries Praise The Lord:

Celebrating Missions - Women’s Ministry Leader Joanne Reilly and long-time missions committee member Rob Rayner were honored with a Mission’s pin on September 8 during the quarterly Celebration Sunday service. The pin is awarded annually to two people who are exemplary models of Christ-centered service in the church and the community. Described as a ministry “ball-of-fire,” Reilly is the Women’s Ministry Vice Chair and a small group leader. She is the driving force behind the success of the backpack and food pantry ministry with David Cox Elementary and now Morehead STEM Academy. She helped start the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She brought the Women Who Dare to Believe performance to UCUMC last February and she personally invited many of the over 500 women who attended the musical from throughout the Charlotte-area and even other states. Rob Rayner has a long tenure on the Missions Committee. His work within the church includes the Toolbox Ministry, serving many years on the Missions Committee and service on the Wednesday night cooking team. He is also FEMA Early Response certified and has been on at least 20 early response or building teams throughout the Southeastern United States. Thank you Joanne and Rob for using your talents to serve and further God’s Kingdom!

UCUMC’s BackPack Ministry is expanding (food for homeless and needy children at area schools)! UCUMC is in its third year of providing this ministry at David Cox Elementary School and this fall we are expanding to a second school, Moorehead Academy! Praise God for our answered prayers by providing for all our needs these past years through the generous support of the congregation at University City. We ask for your continued prayers and support for those children in need at both these schools. Beyond your prayers, we need two things: 1. Volunteers for 1.5 hours/month to pack bags at the schools. 2. Food items brought to the donation center as you enter Worship Center. Food items needed include: individually wrapped breakfast food; protein such as peanut butter, canned fish/meat, canned beans; canned fruits/vegetables; individually wrapped snacks; fruit boxes or pouches; individually wrapped soda crackers; soup, mac & cheese, ramen noodles, rice or boxed pasta.

The Adult Small Group Ministry Fair Table Displays provided the opportunity to talk with representatives from Sunday School, LIFE groups, Men’s & Women’s Groups; examine some of the actual books used for studies; pick up more information or register for a Fall 2013 group; see what is involved in supporting the backpack and prayer shawl ministries and MORE! Thank you for all who were a part of the Adult Ministry Fair Tables... they were a great success!

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering please contact Joanne Reilly, stonefield2001@hotmail.com.

Upcoming Events: Heavenly Readers Women’s Book Club will meet on Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30pm in the Guest Café. The October book selection is Hannah’s List by Debbie Macomber. All women are welcome to attend. Email Cindy Leap for more information - cslgrantwriter@gmail.com.

Ceil McGee, Adult Ministry Director cmcgee@ucumc.org, 704-369-8006

youth ministries Praise The Lord:

FUSION Youth have had a GREAT start to the school year!!!

Youth Space Renovations – We are thoroughly enjoying our newly renovated space—especially the new youth “Lounge” and large FUSION worship room! If you haven’t yet, stop by to check it out!

New Youth lounge

On September 8th, we co-hosted a Youth & Family Cookout at the University City YMCA. It was a great time of fellowship, food, and fun, for families of our youth and children at UCUMC!

On September 15th, FUSION Youth held their Fall KickOff. Around 118 teenagers and 25 adults joined us for pizza, group games, and teaching! During that time together, we kicked off our series for the FUSION Kickoff Night year—“His Story, My Story, Our Story”, which stems from Psalm 78:1-4. We plan to study the bible from Creation to the start of the Church, along with our own personal stories with God and how we can share those stories with others.

Upcoming Events:

Family Cookout at University YMCA

It’s going to be a great year!

For more information, go to www.ucumc.org/youth or contact Megan Leap - mleap@ucumc.org or (704) 369-8014.

October 6th -

Theme Night @ FUSION - Country vs. Country Club Large Group - Bert Giles speaking

October 12th -

FUSION- UCUMC Campus Clean-Up Day (9am-12pm) Help us clean up and take care of our campus! Great way to get service hours! Sign up by October 6th by emailing Megan Leap, mleap@ucumc.org.

November 3rd - Hayride @ Carrigan Farms - $15 per person Includes dinner (hotdogs, chips, & drinks), hayride, bonfire, and s’mores! Sign up NOW - Click Here! November 8th-10th - TSUNAMI Fall Retreat (grades 6-12) Click Here for more Info. Sign up now; turn in your form & payment to secure your spot! Space is limited! November 17th - BINGO/Bake Sale: 5:00-7:30pm - Fellowship Hall - $10 per person Includes dinner; this event is a fundraiser for the Youth Christmas Store Sign up now! Click Here!.

Megan Leap, Youth Ministry Director mleap@ucumc.org, 704-369-8014

children’s ministries Praise The Lord: If you haven’t walked through the fresh, new look of the Disciple Center, YOU NEED TO! Many hands and hearts worked diligently on both floors to make those spaces: exciting, welcoming and youth/children friendly! It’s a great way to show our current and future families that we are willing to invest in the lives of their children and our future!

We are celebrating some WONDERFUL happenings taking place right here in UCUMC and with our ministries to children and families! We give God the glory for the great things He has done and we want to thank all the adults who’ve stepped up to help in some fashion, to help make UC Kids and our facilities, two strong components of ministry in our church! Kidmo is the name of our new curriculum and it’s got a lot of “kick” to it! High energy videos, music and lessons are delivered in ways that capture the attention and hearts of our children. We have great adult leaders and youth volunteers who help make the connection of the Word, in a relevant style, to the lives of the children we reach out to! Come by any Sunday morning and see for yourself! We had a great time partnering with the YMCA for our Family Info Picnic! We had some pick-up games, structured family play time, delicious food, fun swimming, good sharing and even a kickball tournament! Everyone who attended had a great time! Thanks to all who helped make the day a big success!

With the success of W.O.R.K.ZONE in the 11:00am service during the Spring semester, we decided to add the same name and similar format to 9:45am service and we’re having a blast! There are four “tools” we ask the kids to bring to church each week: Themselves, Their Offering, Their Bible and Their Friends! Help us keep this going every week, by reminding them between Sundays to work at bringing those four “tools!” We are seeing better numbers in attendance, offering, Bibles brought and volunteers! Yet there’s ALWAYS room for YOU to jump in, have fun and help us make positive differences in the lives of His kids!

Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

• Oct. 26 - No Fear Family Fall Festival – This is a FREE event, kinda like the old time carnivals, with lots of games and goodies. We’ll start the evening with everyone watching a special movie and then enjoy the games throughout the campus, as families having fun together. Look for more details • Nov. 7 - My Hope America – UC Kids will be providing fun for the children of parents who attend the My Hope America telecast, here on the campus! We’ll be doing some special things in the newly renovated Disciple Building, snacking and handing out a few “freebies” as well! •

Dec. 22 - Children’s Nativity – Here’s where your child(ren) can help to portray the Greatest Story Ever, the birth of our Lord and Savior! Sat, (12/21), will be our rehearsal and party following. Sunday is the special performance with special festivities after the service. ALSO do not forget our very special Family Christmas Eve service, on the 24th! We had a lot of fun last year and I know it will be just as fun, this year.

Look for more information on these events in UCUMC Publications as the time gets closer.

Tim Patrick, Children’s Ministry Director tpatrick@ucumc.org,704-369-8023

UCUMC Weekday School Praise The Lord: The 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2014 Weekday School year has gotten off to a great start! Kids and teachers are adjusting to their new classes and routines. The month of September of our focus has been on safety. The children enjoyed a visit from Fire Station 28. They got to tour a fire truck and the fireman demonstrated putting on their protective gear and fire equipment for the children. The theme of safety was carried over to our Chapel lessons for the month. Our Bible verse was God protects us all. The children heard the story of Daniel in the lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s den. They also learned Psalm 91 verse 4-5 He shall cover you with his feathers, you shall not be afraid and talked about how God is like the mother hen protecting her chicks.

Upcoming Events: October 24th - WDS Open house & Book Fair. Join us to learn more about UCUMC Weekday School and find a selection of books appropriate for kids of all ages! Walk through our classrooms, meet our teachers, and see what our kids have been doing this year. For more information contact us at 704-598-3577 or bluther@ucumc.org.

Looking for a preschool? We still have some spaces available. UCUMC Weekday School offers an engaging, nurturing and developmentally appropriate early childhood education experience for children ages 1-5. Registration forms and information are available on the church website - www.ucumc.org; click on the Weekday School icon at the bottom of the page. You may also call to set up a tour at your convenience: 704-598-3577. REGISTRATION INFORMATION School hours are 9:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday. Office hours are 8:30am to 1:30pm Contact us to check availability for the 2013-14 school year: 704-598-3577 or bluther@ucumc.org. Visit www.ucumc.org/wds for more information on Registration.

Blair Luther, Weekday School Director bluther@ucumc.org, 704-369-8010

Uplifting Passionate Worship September was a great month in Worship at UCUMC!

Praise The Lord:

On September 15, Pastors Ron and Chad launched their new sermon series: 40 Days in the Word. This series is based on the book written by Rick Warren, Senior Pastor of Saddelback Church in California. As we learn the Word, Live the Word, and Love the Word of God, we will be equipped to reach out to our family, friends, and others with the love of God during the My Hope America campaign. Renovation Youth Choir is back in full swing as meetings and rehearsals started in September. We are looking forward to a full, fun and exciting season with the youth choir. We are currently focusing on Christmas music, but will soon start our spring/summer music selections in order to be ready to minister through those seasons as well. On September 8 we had our 25th Anniversary Celebration Worship service where we combined the 9:45 and 11:00 worshippers together. More than 770 people celebrated the blessings that God has done in and through UCUMC over the past 25 years. Ron and Bert brought minimessages on how God has “handed down” lessons, and blessings to them and through them, and encouraged us to think of what blessings we might “hand down” to the next generation of people at UCUMC. Following the service we went out into the courtyard for the ground breaking of the Celebration Garden, Bill Adams, Isabelle Griesmyer, and Pastor Ron brought us up to date Clarence Rogers (left) & on plans and progress, and Clarence Rogers (Senior Adult) and Hunter Comstock (Youth) Hunter Comstock (right) drove their shovels into the dirt to lead the actual ground breaking. Patriotic Musical - On September 11, the Celebration Choir, Psalm 150 Orchestra, HIS HANDS Puppet Ministry, Soloists, Narrators, Tech Team, were joined by American Legion Post 353 Honor Guard members: Bob Carter and Steve Moore, and CMA Artist Ansel Brown and his wife Lisa in a presentation of Indivisible: A Patriotic Musical. This was a special evening of music, puppetry, prayer, and words of appreciation to God and for those who have served our country over the years.

Upcoming Events:

The My Hope America initiative will continue during October. Please come to worship as often as possible so you won’t miss any of the messages in the wonderful sermon series.

The Annual Renovation Choir Port-A-Pit Chicken Bar-B-Que is scheduled for Thursday, October 17th. Lunch and dinner will be served as eat-in, take out or drive through. Reserve your plate online HERE or by purchasing a ticket from youth choir member or leader. Tickets will be on sale at the Connecting Center Sunday Oct. 6th and Oct. 13th. Questions? Contact Lee Zeigler, lzeigler@ucumc.org or 704-369-8017.

We pray that God will bless you and your family in many special ways during August. We look forward to seeing you in worship, and hope that you will invite people to church with you. We look forward to worshipping God with you through the Worship and the Arts Ministry.

Matt Guild, Director of Traditional Worship, 9:45am mguild@ucumc.org, 704-369-8011

Missions Focused Praise The Lord: UCUMC Supported Missions - Asia Morris, daughter of Ray Morris (regular attender at UCUMC), has begun an eight month mission to Bogota, Columbia. She will work with University students, families and support other missionaries while she is there. We really encourage you to join her newsletter list (HERE) and pray for her while she is in Bogota. We are excited to be one of her partnering churches to support her work there. She sent this email earlier in the week and I want to share with you some of what she has written: “I am here in Bogota now and just getting settled in, meeting a lot of youth and university students at the church so far. My apartment is almost all set (that process usually takes about a month!), and I will have my Colombian ID next week (that process also usually takes about a month!), and I am already feeling quite acclimated to the high altitude (which--surprise--usually takes about a month). God has been so good and has so evidently provided in preparing for and guiding me on this trip to Colombia. I wanted to let you know, too, the $2,000 that UCUMC is supporting me with will bring me to 100% of my total financial need! I was thinking that might take a few weeks, so this is a huge stress-relief to know that I will be able to stay and live here for the full 8 months, and I can dive right into ministry without having to spend half of my time raising support. I hope that is an encouragement to you all. Thank you for allowing God to use you all as such a blessing to me.” Love, INC Ramp Build - On Saturday, Sept. 28th, UCUMC volunteers partnered with Love INC to build a wheel chair ramp this past Saturday for Mr. & Mrs. Moran of Charlotte, NC. Mrs. Moran is disabled and requires extensive assistance to get in and out of her home for her doctors appointments. She is no longer able to walk stairs and therefore requires a wheelchair ramp. Mr. Moran, because of his age and ailing health, could no longer assist his wife down the stairs without fear of falling. In order for Mr. Moran’s wife to stay in the home, she needed a ramp. UCUMC provided the funding and the volunteers necessary to build one that the Moran’s could not otherwise afford. Thank you UCUMC for your financial gifts and service!

Upcoming Events: Red Cross Blood Drive - Tuesday, October 15th from 10:30am-2:30pm. This blood drive will have a “date night” theme; each donor will be entered to win a gift certificate which can be put towards a night out! Partner with American Red Cross - save a life, donate blood! Sign ups for appointments will be at www.ucumc.org/missions. If you have any questions please contact Kristin Gable, Thebaglady@thegablefamily.net or 704-968-7915.

David Cox - Our partnership with David Cox Elementary school continues to grow and flourish. This past month so many of you donated supplies for the students and teachers. Thanks to the effort of volunteers, we were also able to bless the teachers at David Cox with breakfast for their first week back. In addition to all of that the backpack ministry is still going strong and serving so many students and families. On Thursday, over 20 of you attended a lunch for interest in mentoring a student at David Cox. This is a great church filled with great people! I am always amazed at all that God does through this great body. Thank you. Yay God!

Harvest Food Drive: UCUMC is again conducting a Food Harvest to support local food pantries in October. Bags with a suggested food items list will be passed out after Sunday worship service on Sunday, Oct. 6th and will also be available in the Sanctuary entranceway. Please bring your bag filled with the suggested food items to the Sanctuary by Sun., Oct. 13th.

Pastor Ray McKinnon, Director of Christian Service rmckinnon@ucumc.org, 704-369-8031

Called to Serve Praise The Lord: One of the things that UCUMC does well is serve. According to a study in Enrichment Journal, the percentage of service in a church relatively similar in size to University City sits at approximately 20 percent. Since the last printing of the Celebration Newsletter, 50 percent of you have served. You either served inside the body directly at UCUMC or outside of the body through a ministry affiliated with UCUMC. That is a huge “Yay God!” and I am emphatically grateful!

Upcoming Events: Begins Thursday, October 3rd. For more information visit www.ucumc.org/uchope.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms. — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) At University City UMC, we believe it is God’s intention and calling upon us to Serve one another in His name. If you have still not found your fit here at UCUMC the first step is to take the spiritual gift inventory: Click Here to begin the assessment. After you have taken the gifts inventory, we invite you to login to myUCUMC and take a look at the available opportunities. Contact the ministry leader associated with the ministry that interests you and dive on in! Many of the ministries allow for you to serve for a short time to get acquainted and to see of the ministry area is a fit for you. If you would like to go even further and find your SHAPE for ministry (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience) please contact us in the Christian Service Department to schedule a time where you can sign-up for a SHAPE seminar! If you have any questions about getting involved or would like some directions on things offered, please feel free to contact Joy Dillon, CSD Admin Volunteer at: joysie74@aol.com or Pastor Ray McKinnon, Christian Service Director at: rmckinnnon@ucumc.org or 704-369-8031

Pastor Ray McKinnon, Director of Christian Service rmckinnon@ucumc.org, 704-369-8031

Administration Praise The Lord: Celebrating the ground breaking of our Celebration Garden! On Sunday September 8th we had the ground breaking ceremony with the oldest charter member Clarence Rodgers in attendance. The committee consisting of John and Susan Goins, Keith and Francis Surgenor, Bill and Isabelle Griesmyer and Bill Adams want to thank the Staff and the congregation for their support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to develop a garden that is not only to beautify this spot, but to facilitate feelings of belonging and stronger connections to the church. The connection of different generations in the church Is important. This garden can help do that in various ways. We want it to be used for receptions and celebrations. We want it to be a place where happy memories are formed.â&#x20AC;? Members of the Garden Committee breaking ground on their new project.

Clarence Rogers shoveling the first bit of dirt.

Jay Casey with Bloom Carolina will be doing the work and he plans to start around the first of November. We expect to have phase one and 2 and some of phase 3 completed this year.

UCUMC Staff Announcement: We welcome Andrew Alexander to the staff at UCUMC as the AVL Director for the 11:00 service. We also want to acclaim Brian Bingham for his many years of service and welcome him in his new position as AVL Director for the 9:45 service. Andrew and Brian will work together to provide Audio, Visual, and Lighting support for both 9:45 and 11:00 worship services, and other UCUMC ministry events.

Upcoming Events: The Administration Staff has an exciting announcement coming up! Make sure you keep a look out for something new - launching soon!

The next publication of the UCUMC Celebration Newsletter will be Wednesday, November 6, 2013. If you have anything you would like to add to the Celebration Newsletter, please contact the corresponding ministry are leader with information by Monday, October 28, 2013.

There will be a Church Council/Charge Conference Meeting on Monday, November 18th at 6:00pm in Room 120. All are welcome to attend!

Ria Holtzhausen, Administrative Director rholtzhausen@ucumc.org, 704-369-8015