Homecoming 2021
Please join Calvary Memorial for its annual Homecoming Service and Luncheon on Sunday, November 7. The day begins with Sunday School at 10:00—classes for all ages—and continues with the All Saints Sunday communion service at 10:55. A box lunch will follow after the service—on the front lawn if weather permits. And don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends November 7!
Special guest speaker for Homecoming this year is Charles Barrow, a native of Greene County and longtime member of Calvary Memorial. Charles is currently serving the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church as a Home Missioner in eastern North Carolina. Charles’ ministry is with “Food for Hungry Neighbors,” a mission that supplies surplus fresh produce to local church food pantries, soup kitchens, and the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina. Some of the food is gleaned by different church groups. This ministry also addresses the importance of eating fresh vegetables for a healthy diet. Charles is married to Rev. Gina Barrow, currently serving Carrboro United Methodist Church, also a Greene County native and former member of Calvary Memorial. Our church looks forward to Charles’ message on his experiences in missions, from the fields of eastern North Carolina to the fields of central Africa.
The homecoming luncheon will feature box lunches prepared by a United Methodist mission ministry in Greenville. If you would like to reserve one or more box lunches (the price is $15 each), please contact Mary Betty Kearney by text or email by Thursday, November 4: Text: (252) 714-2650 Email: mbkearney@embarqmail.com You are asked to bring pre-wrapped individual-serving desserts to share—slices of cake or pie, brownies or cookies, or any other desserts of your choice. Beverages for the meal will be provided on site.
Hanging of the Greens
Can you believe that the season of Advent begins Sunday, November 28? On that Sunday, Calvary Memorial will celebrate the beginning of the Christian liturgical year with a special Hanging of the Greens service.
During December, the church will be decorated with poinsettias each Sunday and Christmas Eve. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of someone, please contact Rose McLaughlin at the church office or Janice Raper by Tuesday, November 30 so that the tribute information may be included in the bulletin. The poinsettias are $13 each and will be wrapped in green paper with a red bow. The poinsettias will be delivered December 2 and used beginning Sunday, December 5.
Rose: (252) 531-7539 or calvarymemorialumc@yahoo.com
Janice: (252) 747-3134 or (919) 440-6822
Pastor’s Message
I have always been amazed by those who pray “well”; yes, like many of you, I too tend to feel inadequate at times when it comes to offering prayer, and yet the Lord still makes his presence known even when we think we have fallen short. I will not deny the blessing of others and their gifts, and when you find someone with talent, lean into them, not to abuse their offering but rest in their presence.
Recently I came across a series of Thanksgiving prayers offered by Southern Living; you can find a link to their page posted below, along with one of their prayers. Over the next month, I’m going to use one of these prayers each day in my time of devotion, not only to give thanks to God but to reflect on what message they offer. What are the things, and who are the people I am thankful for, and what or who is missing? Like we discussed with the story of Bartimaeus in October, it is essential to be as mindful of what we can’t see as it is what we can.
There is a lot of hurt and longing in this world, not just in our lives but in the lives of others. It’s crucial to not only be mindful of our place at the table but those who are missing. I hope that you will join me in this season to give thanks for what we have and consider how we might expand the table for others.
“O Lord, with humble hearts we pray thy blessing this Thanksgiving Day and ask that at table place, where grateful folk say words of grace, that Thou will come to share the yield thy bounty gave to farm and field. We pray thy love will bless, O Lord, each hearth, each home, each festive board; and that Thy peace will come to stay where candles glow, Thanksgiving Day.”
https://www.southernliving.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-prayer
Blessings,
Pastor Jason Leighton
Calvary Memorial UMC Charge Conference
This year’s Charge Conference sessions for the North Carolina Conference will be virtual. District Superintendent Jon Strother will conduct Calvary Memorial’s Charge Conference on Tuesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. Church Council members are expected to participate, but all church members and friends are invited to participate in this celebration of our church’s ministry in Snow Hill, Greene County, North Carolina, and the world.
Check Out the Church Webpage!
Pastor Jason has updated the Calvary Memorial webpage—with a great calendar too! Check online:
https://www.calvarymemorialumc.org/
Worship with us Live! on Facebook
Check out Calvary Memorial’s Facebook page—and “Like” it to receive regular updates about happenings at church! Live worship on Sundays at this website:
https://www.facebook.com/calvarymemorialumc/
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for ministries such as Sunday School and Church Nurseries, Children’s Church, Backpack Blessings, Days for Girls, Interfaith food delivery, and decorating the church for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
COVID Update from Pastor Jason
I am sure all of you know there have been rising concerns over the increased number of COVID cases, specifically the Delta variant. The pandemic has been and will continue to be a difficult season for our community. As our leadership has considered the next steps for Calvary, we have acknowledged the reality that there is a wide range of views and concerns around COVID-19 and the vaccine(s) that accompany it.
We were also reminded of our duty to love God and our neighbor as we love ourselves in our conversations. A challenging if not at times inconvenient verse, to be sure, but still a task that falls on every Christian who wishes to emulate the love and example Christ set for us by caring for others. So, I invite you to join me in this endeavor to love our neighbors.
With the support of the Staff Pastor Parish Relationship Committee, the Church Council and I have decided Calvary Memorial UMC will return to wearing masks for any in-person activities at the church until such time that it is deemed safe not to. We will not be instituting any other safety protocols at this time, but we will continue to monitor our situation closely. In the meantime, we ask that you keep our leadership, congregation, community, country, and the world in your prayers. Peace be with you.
Sunday School Update
Over the past six weeks, Gwen Skinner’s class has participated in a study led by Lysa Terkeurst titled What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. The class has enjoyed it so much that it has decided to participate in a second study led by Terkeurst titled The Best Yes.
In The Best Yes, Terkeurst will share how to make better use of the two most powerful words: “yes” and “no.” Using biblical teaching and practical insights, this study will help a person to be more equipped to discern the best “yes” answers for her life. Please consider joining us for this six-week teaching session, beginning on Sunday, October 31 at 10:00.
New Online/Print Church Directory
Calvary Memorial is putting together a new online Church Directory. Hardcopies will be available once complete, but in the meantime, we are asking our church folks to send in their contact info. Follow the link below or go to the church website and click "Directory" at the top of the site; it will provide a directory form to fill out on the church website.
https://www.calvarymemorialumc.org/directory
This info is not shared with the public but sent straight to the church office on a secure link once you click submit. Pastor Jason and Ms. Rose will also be available in the Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday for anyone who might need help filling out the form.
Stewardship Sunday
During November, the Finance Committee will conduct the annual Stewardship Campaign to seek financial support for the church during 2022. All church members and friends are asked to prayerfully consider their pledges of support for Calvary Memorial and respond during morning worship on Sunday, November 21.
Lay Worship Leadership for November
9:45 Nursery Acolytes
November 7 Kay Murphy November 7 Nathaniel Francis
November 14 Mary Nell Morris November 14 Sidney Ramsey
November 21 Mary Betty Kearney November 21 Anna Katherine Medlin
November 28 Suzi Shippen-Wagner November 28 Nell Mason Morris
10:45 Nursery Lay Reader
November 7 Mary Jo Nimmo November 7 Mary Nell Morris
November 14 Mary Betty Kearney November 14 Bobby Nimmo
November 21 Holly Medlin November 21 Jay Carraway
November 28 Kay Murphy November 28 Beth Ramsey
Children's Church Flowers
November 7 Suzi Shippen-Wagner November 7 Donna Faulkner
November 14 Beth Ramsey November 14 Jay and Shelia Carraway
November 21 Holly Medlin November 21 Cornucopia
November 28 Mary Nell Morris November 28 William and Rhonda Hughes
Looking Ahead
December 9 Blue Christmas Service at 6:30 p.m.
December 24 Christmas Eve Communion at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 2022 United Methodist General Conference (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Youth Activities, Children’s Church, and Sunday School
The CMUMC Children's Committee needs volunteers for helping with Children's Church during Worship. Please text or email Beth Ramsey if you would be willing to volunteer for this need: (252) 903-0651 or bwrncsu@gmail.com
Children's church is now offered during the Worship services on Sundays. This is for children of ages 3 years to 3rd grade. The children's church time will be after the children's moment is held.
UMYF youth group (all middle and high school students) will meet each Sunday in November at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a special study with Pastor Jason.
Looking Ahead for Youth:
November 12-14 Pilgrimage in Rocky Mount, NC and online (nccpilgrimage.org/2021).
August 7-9, 2023Convocation of the Rural Church (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
New and Ongoing Ministries
Missions Committee team partners with Greene County Interfaith to deliver food boxes to persons who have no transportation or who have physical disabilities on first and third Thursdays each month. We use the church bus and a trailer generously provided by George Herring. If you have a heart for a much-needed ministry in our local community, please join the team at 9:30 a.m. in the church parking lot. Your help with this ministry will be much appreciated!
Backpack Blessings has not started its ministry yet as we continue to wait for the "go-ahead" from the Director of the Greene County Pre-K School. If anyone is interested in helping with weekly packing and delivering, please get in touch with Patty Herring at 252-521-0555.
Grief and Loss Support Group meets on second Thursday (November 11 this month), usually at 6:30 p.m. in the church parlor. This monthly meeting welcomes participation by any persons in the community who wish to know the strength and healing that the support group offers for those who have experienced grief and loss.
The Joy Riders need help to identify persons in the community who could benefit from a visit. Please contact Linda Dunn to put names on the list or to join in on a ride to experience firsthand the Joy of this ministry.
Days for Girls “Sewing Saturdays” will not meet November 6 but will continue November 20 from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Suzi and Rose are happy to welcome volunteers of all ages and all skill levels because there are many jobs to do! Let them know of your interest, and they will find "homework" for you that suits your interest and skill level. Although the mission trip to Guatemala for Unearth Hope has been cancelled, the 275 kits we completed will be ready to go as soon as the mission is rescheduled! Also, we will be updating the birthing kits we have made previously, so more news and needs on those soon!
Forever Young Circle will meet on Thursday November 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Members are asked to bring items to arrange the cornucopia for Thanksgiving season. Pat Adams will be hostess for the evening.
Hope Restorations, Inc. is an ongoing concern in Kinston, NC. For more information about Hope Restorations, its mission, and its ministry, and recent news about its program, please see the website, http://hoperestorationsnc.org/. Read more about the Duke Endowment’s support of Hope Restorations at https://www.dukeendowment.org/story/renewing-hope-rebuilding-lives.
