Newsle t ter for Members & Fr iends of Towson Uni ted Methodis t Church

High Spire Dec-Jan

2017-2018

Towson UMC

Tis the... SEASON

Sunday All-Music Service

Chili & Chalk Talk

Toy Drive

Adopt-a-Family

Hanging of the Greens

PRAY for

PEACE

Operation Christmas Child

Prepare Ye for the 2017 Advent Sermon Series

Joy to the World! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart Prepare Him room.

Is your house ready? Or is it a swirling holiday mess? No worries. Most other folks have homes in disarray this time of year. Not everyone admits it.

In life, there is always a mess somewhere. And, things never go as smoothly as planned. We love to think that our lives are well planned. We may dream of what our futures will be and work hard to make that happen. Sometimes, it does turn out as we hoped. Sometimes, our lives are very different from our plans. Always, life can be unexpected and we realize that God has plans for us that may not be at all what we had in mind. At times, our lives may even be demolished and made anew. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we are reconstructed. And, our lives become orderly again — for the moment.

This holiday season, embrace the mess. Pause. Enjoy the moment. And, miracles will abound!

501 Hampton Lane : Towson, MD 21286

410.823.6511 www.towsonumc.org

Business Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00 AM-3:00 PM Sunday Worship Services: 8:15 AM and 10:15 AM

MINISTRY TEAM

Rev. LaTrelle Easterling—Resident Bishop

Rev. Dr. Wanda Duckett—District Superintendant, Baltimore Metropolitan District

Bob Kimmons & Stephanie Kimmons— TUMC’s Church Lay Leaders

Rev. Dr. Mark Johnson— Lead Pastor 410.823.3640 : leadpastor@towsonumc.org

Rev. Margery Schammel—Assistant Pastor 410.823.2485 : mschammel@towsonumc.org

Rev. Doug Hollida– Minister of Music 410.823.6519 : musicdirector@towsonumc.org

Rachel Livingston– Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries 410.823.3698 : yandya@towsonumc.org

Kim Ayres– Business and Office Manager 410.823.3693 : kayres@towsonumc.org

Bob Ashby– Custodian

HAMPTON LANE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Erin Rigley– Center Director 410.825.0008 : cdcdirector@towsonumc.org

A ministry of Towson United Methodist Church, Hampton Lane Child Development Center is a licensed childcare center with approved preschool for ages two (2) through pre-kindergarten.

www.hamptonlanecdc.org

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 2

High spire

PRAY WITH US

http://towsonprays.blogspot.com

Upper Room devotionals, regular and large print, available in the lobby

TUMC’s Inclement Weather Policy

Next High Spire content deadline: January 15th

for the February 2018 issue. Send photos and

copy to: kayres@towsonumc.org

Dear Congregation,

The past 16 years at TUMC have been filled with many memories as we studied and were in fellowship together. We have made some wonderful friends; and we will miss you. Our home on Charmuth has been sold; and we are relocating back to Indiana to be closer to our family. As Gary likes to say, “We are going to live closer to our family and visit our friends.” During our time at Towson there have been many changes in our church. Undoubtedly, there will continue to be changes in the future. However, the one thing that has been constant during our time at TUMC has been your support, encouragement, and friendship. Whenever you are in the Indianapolis area, please stop by and say hello!

——— Jeannine and Gary Neuen

Thank YOU!

Monday-Friday If Baltimore County Schools are

closed, then there are NO church meetings or activities.

If Baltimore County Schools open late or close early, then TUMC meetings and activities may be canceled; check with your facili-tator.

Sundays Check the local tv/radio listings. Most of all, use your best judgment and be safe!

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 3

Sunday, December 31 New Year’s Eve

8:15 AM Advent Chapel Communion Service 10:15 AM Christmas Eve Children’s Choir Musical Journeys to the Manger 8:00 PM Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Service with 7:45 PM Prelude and ASL interpreted

11:00 PM Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Service with 10:45 PM Prelude

Sunday, December 24

Worship and Breakfast in Fellowship Hall 10:15AM ONE Worship Service—Everyone is welcome!

Coffee cake donations appreciated. Contact: Maria Springer 410.561.1157 or maria@majaskitchen.com

The Music Ministry of Towson United Methodist Church presents….

A Service of Advent and Christmas Music

10:15 AM Worship in the Sanctuary

Music by the Carol Choir, Alleluia Singers, Chancel Choir, and Tower Chimes with flute, saxophone tympani, and percussion : Meditation by Rev. Margery Schammel

Sunday, December 10

Join us for Sunday Morning Adult Classes. Check out this lineup of possibilities. Everyone is welcome!

***ALL CLASSES ARE ON SUNDAYS 9-10 AM***

Christians Under Construction : Room 111 Topical and Bible studies

Young Parents’ Class : Room 114 Support to rear children as Christian parents

Tower Class : Room 214 Current topics from a Christian perspective

Women’s Class : Room 212 Learning and support to live as Christian women

Adult Bible Study : Room 218 Studies of various books of the Bible

Men’s Class : Room 310 Learning and support to live as Christian men NO ENROLLMENT NECESSARY! MEET IN THE DESIGNATED ROOMS TO JOIN A CLASS.

Tuesdays, Nov 28-Dec 19 at 10AM

SHORT-TERM ADVENT CLASS

Advent: Reconstruction Drop IN and join us in the

Room 311 for an Advent

Class on Tuesday mornings

during Advent. We will

study Zechariah and

Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary.

The Christmas story seems

all too familiar to us, but to

those four persons, the

coming of the Messiah was a wild and unlooked for

turn in their life stories. No RSVP needed!

ALL classes, Cribbery, Pray & Play,

and KIDZ are canceled on

12/24 & 12/31

Prefer childcare during the worship service? We have your family covered from infancy through age 11!

Safe-sanctuary, approved adults are available on Sunday mornings to spend quality time with your little ones in the Cribbery downstairs; and to host a variety of fun, social and educational activities in church classrooms for older children.

Childcare in the Cribbery* : Room 122 Children: Infants-Age 3 Open: 8:45 AM through the 10:15 AM service

Pray and Play* : Room 314 Children: Ages 4-6 Open: 10:15 through the entire worship service for learning, fun and song.

Kids in the Disciple Zone (KIDZ)* : Room 310 Children: Ages 7-11 Open: Part-way through 10:15 service. Children

begin in the worship service and leave for learning and fun when dismissed.

Children of all ages are invited to join a Sunday School class to learn and grow in faith with one another. Classes are taught by TUMC safe- sanctuary, approved adults.

***ALL CLASSES ARE ON SUNDAYS 9-10 AM ***

Preschool* : Room 311 Children: Age 3-Kindergarten

Elementary* : Room 312 Children: Grades 1-5

Infants, Toddlers and KIDZ

*Note: Enrollment forms are REQUIRED for participation. Find forms online at www.towsonumc.org. Click on “Ministries” then “Towson Youth.” Return completed forms to church!

Kids’ Sunday School

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 4

Adult Learning

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Middle/High School Youth—Sunday School, 9-10 AM

Middle School*: Rm 216 High School* : Rm 317 Youth: Grades 6-8 Youth: Grades 9-12

Confirmation ‘Class of 2018’ For the month

of December,

Confirmation

students will

meet with the

Middle School

Sunday School

Class. Then,

Confirmation

Classes begin on Sunday, Jan. 7th, and continue until

Pentecost, May 20th. This class is for youth 8th grade and

older who are interested in exploring their faith and the

United Methodist church, and, perhaps, joining the

church. The group meets in Fellowship Hall, 9-10AM.

The youth, their parents, and mentors have been

getting to know one another and a bit about our

Methodist history as they traveled to several sites this

past fall. Please keep these youth, their families,

teachers and mentors in your prayers.

Questions? Contact: Rev. Margery Schammel: Mschammel@towsonumc.org 410.823.2485.

YOUTH GROUP UPCOMING EVENTS

December and January 12/1 Nerf Wars at TUMC, 7-9 PM 12/3 Youth Council Meeting, after 10:15AM service 12/10 Dinner & Shopping for Christmas Family, 6-7:30PM 12/17 Dinner & Wrapping Gifts for Christmas Family, 6-7:30PM 12/24 NO Youth Group or Sunday School Celebrate the coming of Christ in this World at 8:15AM, 10:15AM, 8PM or 11PM worship. 12/31 No Youth Group or Sunday School Join Us for 10:15 Brunch & Worship 1/5 Ice Skating, 6-9PM 1/7 Youth Council Meeting, after 10:15AM service 1/14 Dinner & Discussion/Bible Study, 6-7:30PM 1/20 Volunteer Local UMCOR Hub, 10AM-Noon 1/26-28 ROCK 2018! In Ocean City, MD 1/28 NO Youth Group

Need more info? Contact Rachel Livingston:

410.823.3698 : yandya@towsonumc.org

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 5

TUMC Youth Scoop Follow YOUTH GROUP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/TowsonUMCYouth

Confirmation students at their third church outing: Old Otterbein UMC in downtown Baltimore

THANK YOU

FOR COOKING

WITH US!!!! Special thanks to those who helped us cook for our “Thankful Around the World” event in November: Maria Springer, Cindy Bothwell, Annemarie Merow, and Ryan Wagner. The youth en-joyed cooking and eating their unique creations!

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 6

DECEMBER 2017

12/1 Nancy Chance 12/1 Travers Gralley 12/1 Robin Smith 12/2 Megan Connolly 12/2 Harry Schneider 12/3 Carol Caplan 12/3 Bill Connolly 12/4 Brandi Cunnington 12/4 Sylvia Elliott 12/5 Cynthia Anderson 12/5 Sue Garman 12/8 John Richards 12/9 Kay Bransby 12/9 Joe Corson 12/11 Suey McLean 12/11 Marie Ponzillo 12/11 Lisa Reiner 12/11 Noel Vandermer 12/12 Douglas Dollenberg 12/13 Kate Craig 12/13 Nancy Currens 12/14 Betty Cassatt 12/14 Jo Miller 12/14 Emily Wolff 12/16 Nancy Crabbin 12/16 Erin Williams 12/18 Emily Cummings

12/18 Vernon Sevier, Sr 12/19 Roy Bopst, Jr 12/19 Chuck Gladstone III 12/19 Aaron Tobian 12/21 Liz Brown 12/21 Jordan Smith 12/21 Morgan Watkeys 12/22 Trisha Whiting 12/22 Suzanne Yoder 12/23 Diane Crider 12/23 Braden Hofstetter 12/23 Jacob Hofstetter 12/25 Laura Ruby 12/26 Barbara Bernhardt 12/27 Matt Ross 12/27 Dick Watts 12/28 Moira Edwards 12/29 Carol Engel 12/29 Betty Ledford 12/29 Marsha McDonold 12/29 Bea Post

JANUARY 2018

1/4 Tom Edel 1/5 Joan Schmitt 1/6 Donna Hofstetter 1/6 June Hogue 1/6 Eric Killip 1/7 Kathryn Mules 1/7 Lissa O'Donnell 1/7 Bill Rogers Jr 1/8 Carol Bowers 1/8 Suz Ford 1/8 Carol Ross 1/8 Lee Ann Vasil 1/9 Cathy Anderson 1/10 Bob Gralley 1/11 Lu Ann Blackman 1/11 Jeanne Ripley 1/11 Nathan Watts 1/12 Cece Walsch 1/13 Christian Garman 1/14 Mike Ford 1/14 Janet Kines 1/14 Jeff Mergerian 1/15 Michele Cline 1/15 Kim Connolly 1/15 Aaron Heise 1/16 Stephen Ponzillo III 1/17 Fred Cowan

1/18 Lynn Garner 1/18 Sara Petry 1/19 Wendy Gorsuch 1/19 Erik Helsing 1/19 Nancy Waters 1/20 Gail Feland 1/20 Rick Green 1/20 Dottie Lebo 1/20 Dan Matlin 1/21 Nancy Svehla 1/21 Earl Watkeys 1/22 Mel Torres 1/23 Barb Mann 1/23 Norma Reed 1/23 John Ross, Jr 1/23 Emily Walsch 1/24 Maria Springer 1/24 Ryan Wagner 1/25 Edward Custer 1/25 Kathie Dollenberg 1/27 John Beynon 1/27 Evan Llewelyn 1/28 Rick Gawlik 1/28 Amy Kirkner 1/29 Walt Wilhelm 1/30 Sharon Kollman 1/31 Pam Carr

Happy Birthday Wishes to YOU…..

Annual TOY DRIVE The Mission Committee’s annual toy drive

will be held on December 3 and December 10. On those two Sundays, toys will be collected in the foyer for the children of the Homestead United Methodist Church on Gorsuch Avenue in Baltimore city. These toys should be NEW and wrapped in Christmas paper. On the outside of the wrapping, please indicate whether the toy is for a boy or girl and the approximate age of the intended recipient.

The Outreach group at Homestead Church has a Christmas party for their community every year, at which time the toys are distributed. If there are extra gifts, the committee takes them to homeless shelters so that those children will have a toy on Christmas morning too.

Our church members have been very generous in their support of the Toy Drive in the past. Many of our children have brought a gift for a less fortunate boy or girl. If you want to bring an unwrapped toy, I will be glad to wrap it for you. Please contribute a toy to this most apprecia-tive church community before December 12. Please feel free to contact Pat Totzauer at 410.938.8699 with any questions.

The 2018 Stewardship Campaign for Tow-son UMC continues on, under the theme of “A New Day of Blessings”. God's promises of bless-ings is found in the Book of lamentations, Chap-ter 3, verse 23: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day".

Towson continues to be blessed. With God's promises, we can start each day with renewed hope and confidence in the future. Together with your help and God's grace, we can finalize our approach to the budget process for 2018.

If you have already responded, we thank you. If not, we ask your consideration how you might invest in many more "new days" for Tow-son in the new year. Commitment cards are in the church pews.

Stewardship Campaign

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 7

Music Notes

From Doug Hollida, Minister of Music,

Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year. The last time this happened was 11 years ago – in 2006. This presents a slight challenge in that we have to shift things a little to make it all work. And I think we’ve come up with a good plan. It also provides some unique opportunities. The big opportunity for you is that you can experience Christmas Eve – the celebra-tion of Christ’s birth – in TWO unique ways this year.

Our 5:00 p.m. Family Service has been moved to the 10:15 AM time slot. Starting two years ago, we began doing children’s musicals for the Christmas Eve Family Service. Our children are amazingly tal-ented – they are confident, funny, and cute! The shows they do are always exceptional and definitely inspiring. So I would really encourage you to come to the 10:15 AM service. And it’s going to be even more special this year as our adult Chancel Choir also wanted to be part of the morning service. They will be presenting the musical along with the children.

And then I would encourage you to return in the evening to the 8:00 PM or 11:00 PM service. These services will have different messages and different choirs from the morning services. And of course there will be a change from sunlight to candlelight, so – a totally different mood.

Of the churches in which I’ve served I can think of three that had two Christmas Eve services – one early evening and one late evening. It was a tradition for many, many people to come to both, even the young children came to the late one. They slept through it, of course, but they wouldn’t have missed coming out to this special time and going home after midnight – officially Christmas Day!

Can you really get enough of Christmas? Can you really get enough of celebrating the birth of Jesus – the music? the hope? the joy?

Joy to the World! The Lord is coming, has come, and will come.

Joy to the World!

Journeys to the Manger Sunday, December 24 : 10:15 AM Service

Meditation by: Rachel Livingston

The TUMC Children’s Carol Choir — with help from the Adult Chancel Choir — present the 3rd annual Christmas Eve Musical

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 8

January is a great time to join a choir.! We start anew with all new music. All rehearsals are in the Music Room (room 321) – 3rd floor near the main stairs.

Here’s all the information you need to join us!

VOCAL CHOIRS • CHANCEL CHOIR - Adults - Rehearses Wednesday eve-

nings 7:30-9:00. Music reading is not required. • JOYFUL NOISE - Adults - Rehearses & sings occasional-

ly throughout the year. Come when you can. On the Sundays we sing, we meet at 9:45 to learn an easy an-them. Dates are communicated via e-mail. So e-mail me, please, if you would like to be added to the list.

• ALLELUIA SINGERS (6th - 12th graders) - Rehearses

Sunday evenings 5:00-6:00. • CAROL CHOIR (2nd - 5th graders) - Rehearses Tuesday

evenings 6:00-6:45. • JOY SINGERS (4-year-olds – 1st graders) – Rehearses

Sunday morning during Children and Worship

HANDBELL CHOIRS NOTE: Please let me know ahead of your interest in the bell choirs so we can have a spot for you. • GENESIS BELLS - For anyone who does or does not

read music and has limited (to no) experience playing bells - Rehearses Tuesday evenings 6:45-7:30.

• CELEBRATION RINGERS - For anyone who reads music

OR has some ringing experience - Rehearses Sunday afternoons 4:00-5:00.

• TOWER CHIMES - Advanced ringers – Music reading is

required but ringing experience is not. If you’re not sure if you’re ready for this choir, let me know and we’ll talk about it. Rehearses Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30.

2018 STARTING DATES

January 3 – Chancel Choir January 7 – Joy Singers January 7 – Alleluia Singers January 9 – Carol Choir January 10 – Tower Chimes January 14 – Celebration Ringers January 16 – Genesis Bells

Start the New Year with Music

F A L L

F U N

The Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon was a HUGE success in November. Thanks to all our generous donors, creative vendors and event coordinators.

Yummy treats, handmade crafts and second-hand items = FUN!

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 9

CHILI LUNCH & CHALK TALK Sunday, December 10 after 10:15AM service

Mark your calendars for another event of friends, fellowship and fun —- Sunday, December 10th with Chalk artist, Elva Hurst!

Elva is such a creative and gifted artist ; she will tell a story while she draws the nativity! You may remember her chalk drawing from last year, opposite the elevator on the 1st floor – a winter scene with the lighted tree surround-ed by a church and small village.

Bring a pot of your favorite chili (salad and dessert provided) to share with the group before Elva begins her presentation! Enjoy a relaxing lunch and work of art with your church friends! Come one and come all for an advent season meal and see the nativity come to life in chalk!!!

CHALK ARTIST ELVA HURST at TUMC on December 10th at 11:30AM

Fellowship with Pastor Mark & Friends

Thank you to everyone who has come out to meet and chat with Pastor Mark over the past several months. Some of you have met with Pastor Mark (and sometimes his wife, Pastor Sandi) after wor-ship and some have come to the “Coffee and Conversa-tion” times held at a variety of places. These informal conversations have been well attended and Pastor Mark would like to continue these fellowship times. No need to RSVP. Everyone is welcome. Or, you may call/email him to schedule a time to meet at church.

Meet on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00 AM at Bob Evans Restaurant 1265 E. Joppa Road

NO GATHERINGS ON 12/26/17 or 1/2/18!!

Please Remember Towson UMC in Your Will ……… When you leave a bequest to Towson UMC in your will or estate plan you help to root your hopes and dreams in the bed-rock of Christ’s Gospel. You also make a good steward’s return to God of God’s blessings in your life and leave an eternal message of what is important to you. It is easy to include your church in your estate planning by having your advisor in-clude this language in your will or beneficiary designation: “I give, devise and bequeath _______ (insert dollar amount or percent amount) of my estate to Towson United Methodist Church, 501 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286”. Questions? Call Pastor Mark and he can connect you with the Planned Giving Committee.

WANT MORE CHALK ART? Elva’s Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery 1519 Brunnerville Road :Lititz, PA 17543 717.626.6582 : www.elvaschalkart.com

Let every prepare Him room!

Our annual Women’s Re-treat has been a source of re-newal, friendship, and grace for several years. Women have fun, learn, grow in their relationships both with God and with one another —and have more fun.

The 2018 Retreat will be held at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD. We will meet for dinner on Friday, Feb. 23rd, spend the weekend having an awesome time, and leave for home after lunch on Sunday, Feb. 25th.

Registration forms are available now on our Towson UMC website or in the church lobby.

The cost of this year’s Retreat is $215.00 per person. Please make your check out to Towson UMC with Women’s Retreat in the memo line.

Venue info at www.skycroft.org.

2018 Women’s Retreat

February 23-25

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 10

ADMINISTRATIVE FOCUS AREAS - 2018 Church Council Chair: Alicia Corson Secretary: Carol Caplan Chair of Finance: Steve Schnur Chair of Stewardship: Dale Springer Chair of Property and Maintenance: John Engel Chair of Education Work Area: Carolyn Schnur Chair of Mission Work Area: Gene Bandy Chair of Senior Adult Council: Bill Rogers Chair of Hospitality: Susan Naeny Chair of Pathways: Susan Killian Lay Leaders: Bob Kimmons and Stephanie Kimmons Lay Members, 2018: Kevin Gralley and Fred Cowan Members-at-Large: Tarja Singer, Carol Caplan, Dan Gauer, David Garman, Stephen Rogers, Margot Gerding, Pat Day, Lissa O'Donnell, Walt Wilhelm, Kevin Gralley, and Penny Goode Board of Trustees David King 2018 Mike McWilliams 2018 Cindy Frank 2018 Ken Fisher 2019 Drew O'Donnell 2019 Nancy Klueh 2019 Jeri Allen 2020 Roy Bopst 2020 Tom Mowlds 2020 Property and Maintenance Committee Chair: John Engel Members: Mike McWilliams, Janet Kines, Kathy Stroup, David Turlington, Tom Edel, Roy Bopst, Tom Clawson, Jim Tambling, and John Dahne Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chair: Bill Sleeman 2018 Members: Susan Killian 2018, Mary Carrol Peters 2018, Susan Gralley 2019, Ginny Cummings 2019, Miguel Roberts 2019, Karen Morris 2020, Michael Gambuto 2020, and Bob Naeny 2020

Finance Committee Chair: Steve Schnur Stewardship Liaison: Dale Springer Chair of Church Council: Alicia Corson Chair of Property and Maintenance: John Engel Lay Leader: Bob Kimmons Business Manager: Kim Ayres Pastor: Mark Johnson Members-at-Large: (4 year limit; year indicates last year of term)

Steve Bauer 2018, Bob Naeny 2018, Ann Dahne 2019, Merrill Frank 2019, Linda Brooks 2020, Shelley Jackson 2020, and Ken Klueh 2020 Stewardship Committee Liaison: Dale Springer Stephen Rogers Mike Steer Charlie Woodbury Grey Goode Mike McWilliams Lay Leadership/Nominations Committee Members: Sue Gralley 2018, Nancy Klueh 2018, Stephanie Kimmons 2018, Shirley Derksen 2019, Dave Morris 2019, Lissa O'Donnell 2019, Janet Kines 2020, Leslie Wagner 2020 and Earl Smith 2020 Hampton Lane Child Development Center Board of Trustees Ellen Berline 2018 Nancy Bopst 2018 Kathy King 2018 Dick Watts 2019 John Vandermer 2019 Debby Maciolek 2020 Sandy Clawson 2020

MINISTRY FOCUS AREAS - 2018

Education Chair: Carolyn Schnur Members-at-Large: Jo Miller, Ann Sleeman, Erin Giudice, Susan Mealey, Leslie Wagner, Susan Killian, Sushma Roberts and Margery Schammel

Cribbery Ministry Coordinator: Lissa O’Donnell

Christian Connections Coordinator: Kevin Gralley Pray and Play Coordinator: Jo Miller Youth Council Members: Alicia Corson, Ginny Cummings, Karen Morris, Anne Sleeman, Susan Mealey, Sally Stocksdale, Susan Knabe, Maryanne Arthur, Jack Chamberlain, Margot Gerding, Margery Schammel, Rachel Livingston and Youth Parents PATHWAYS Board of Directors Chair: Susan Killian Secretary: Amanda Long Treasurer: Ken Henschen Advisor: Justin Jones Program Director: Sharon Penhallegon Admin Director: Mary Wynne Eisenberg Members: Annie Biser, Stephanie Kimmons, Joe Corson, Dave Morris, Rachel Livingston and Casey Schurman Mission Work Area Members: Gene Bandy, Carole Dean, Pat Totzauer, John Ford, Val Wehrle, Vernon Sevier, Dwight Kines, Donna Russell, Carol Sims, Libby Rogers, Anne Biser and Margot Gerding Worship Committee Communion Stewards: Linda and Gordon Kennard Ushers: Margot Gerding Members: Erin Giudice, Eleanor Brown, Sam Smith, Sue Brown, Fred Crider, Mike Steer, Noel Vandermer, Verna Lewis, Lee Ann Vasil and Sylvia Solomon Hospitality Members: Armilda Beard, Diane Crider, Carol Edel, Debbie Ross, Tom Edel, Judy Hobbs, Maria Springer, Pat Evans, Susan Naeny, Cindy Frank, Sherry Tambling, Bill Rogers, Carol Woodworth, Janice Smart, Carol Sims and Betsie Johnson Caring Ministries Prayer Shawl Ministry: Carol Matlin and Susan Brown Funeral Ministry: Margot Gerding Visitation Coordinator: Robin Smith

2018 Towson UMC Nominations & Lay Leadership Report

Note: Year (2018, 2019, 2020) indicates last year of term

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 11

Top right: Our Youth Group wrapped-up in FUN & GAMES at the 2017 Monster Mash Hoe Down that kicked off Halloween week. Be sure to ask a youth WHO posed as mummies? And, who won the lasso competitions? Our costumed-youth participated in games, dance contests, and arts & crafts; plus indulged in festive dinner and treats. A spooktacular event for all! Bottom left: WOW! Our youth group pitched in Thanksgiving week at Bea Gaddy’s Family Center. The youth unloaded the ENTIRE truck (seen in the photo below) that was packed with 50lb bags of potatoes and frozen turkeys. Yup! All those yellow bins were filled with turkeys. Great job, YOUTH!

IN ACTION

Top left: Children visited an indoor Trunk or Treat this past October. Kudos to the families who helped create this sweet and safe Halloween activity.

TUMC YOUTH

Photo credits: Bea Gaddy Mission—Sushma Roberts Trunk or Treat — Brianna A-M Monster Mash — Maryanne Arthur

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 12

Here is some helpful information from your Business Office! Do you know there are several different ways to send us your contributions? All contributions must be submitted to the Business Office by December 29th to receive credit on your 2017 contribution statement.

Here are the different ways to send in your contributions:

Cash or Check placed in the offering plate during wor-ship. Please consider using an envelope including your name when donating cash.

Drop off Donation in door slot of the main office atten-tion Business Office.

Mail check donations by the US Postal service to Towson UMC attention Business Office

Online Banking you set up online checking with your bank. You control the frequency and amount sent. The bank sends a check to Towson UMC. Set up Towson UMC as a “vendor” and include your envelope number if you have one —and name as “account number.”

Online-Giving (Credit Cards and Electronic Funds Trans-fers) Giving online with credit cards and with electronic fund transfers are easy and allows you to set up auto-matic recurring contributions. Contributions can now be deducted automatically from your checking or savings account at any time or processed using your credit or debit card. Our electronic giving program offers conven-ient ways for you to give from any device (computer or phone) anywhere you have access to the Internet.

Simply follow these easy steps for online giving: - Visit our website at www.towsonumc.org. - Choose ‘Click Here to Donate Online’ button - Click on the Create Profile button, then - Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and schedule your recurring contributions -You can also use the church’s QRT code.

Stock Transfer Stocks and mutual funds transferred to Towson UMC broker. Details may be obtained from the business office. Please notify the business office of any stock transfers to accounts below.

For Annual Church Operating Budget Only: Merrill Lynch 901 Dulaney Valley Road, Ste 516 Towson, MD 21204 Telephone: 410.321.4323 Fax: 410.970.4295 DTC #5198 Account # 813-04325 Towson UMC

For Growing Forward Capital Campaign Only: Merrill Lynch 901 Dulaney Valley Road, Ste 516 Towson, MD 21204 Telephone: 410.321.4323 Fax: 410.970.4295 DTC #5198 Account # 813-04316 Towson UMC

Include the following information with the transmittal from your broker/bank to Merrill Lynch: Donor Name: _______________ Designated to: Towson United Methodist Church Purpose of Gift: ex. Annual Pledge, Capital Campaign

Everyone is called to be faithful servants. We pray you may find the level of giving that is right for you as you pro-gress in your journey of faith and commitment. Your pledges and contributions are a critical part of how we can make a difference in our church, our community and our world.

As always, please contact Kim Ayres in the Business Office with any questions or concerns: 410.823.3689 or kayres@towsonumc.org.

Business Office Tips

During January 2018, the Hospitality Ministries Committee will be collecting warm socks for women at the House of Ruth and boxes of valentines for their youngsters. We would especially appreciate BOY Valentines for the children to give to school friends.

The House of Ruth of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end vio-lence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear. TUMC is honored to be a part of this mission.

Send Warm Valentines & Socks

Thanks to all of you that filled a Samaritans Purse Shoebox. This shoebox in most cases will be the only gift

these underprivileged children will receive this year. A special thanks to those of you who filled multiple shoeboxes . This is your oppor-tunity to help spread the gospel. This year we filled 144 shoeboxes! A special thanks goes to Kim Ayres, Margot Gerding and Bob Ashby for their project support. — John & Nancy Ross

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 13

DISASTER RELIEF for Residents of the Southern United States

Our next Communion/Mission Offering is Sunday,

December 3rd —-and through the month of December

— benefiting Disaster Relief. With all the unfortunate

weather this year in the southern United States and

the people who need out help, contributions to Disas-

ter Relief seem to be of paramount importance! Please

consider making a monetary donation to support this

worthy cause. Make your checks payable to Towson

UMC and note that it is for “Disaster Relief”. Send to

church by mail or place your check in the offering plate

during Sunday worship. Thanks!

The Pictorial Directory Committee is taking a break in December. The FINAL TWO SUNDAYS to pose for your photo

will be January 7th and 14th. Remember, you can still take a selfie and send it to Kim in the church office at kayres@towsonumc.org.

Pictorial Directory

December Mission/ Communion Offering

Operation Christmas Child—Samaritan’s Purse

Clothing Donations to Homestead UMC Church

Towson UMC has been collecting and sending clothes, shoes, and accesso-ries to Homestead United Methodist Church every month.

A big THANK YOU to Ron and Marilyn Donoho who take these items regu-larly to Homestead UMC!

At Homestead UMC, there is a group of dedicated ladies, including Barba-ra Conway, who spend their Tuesdays cooking and serving at the weekly soup kitchen, and distributing the donated clothes. With this article, are a few im-ages of the clothes and bags of food for participants of the soup kitchen to take home after enjoying a meal.

We ask that you please continue to help us help those in need by placing your clothing donations in the bins located next to the playground in the back of our church. Thank you!!

Happy Holidays 2017! It’s that time of year when the men of Towson United Methodist Church have arranged for you to purchase or donate a poinsettia — in honor or memory of — someone in your life.

Celebrate!! Your poinsettia will remain in the Chancel area throughout all the holiday worship ser-vices and festivities this Yuletide Season. After the 11pm Christmas Eve ser-vice, you may take your poinsettia home. OR, a church member will deliver your donated plant to a shut-in, spreading much-needed Christmas Joy to someone special in our church community. Pick up an order form in the church lobby for 2017 flowers.

NEW deadline to order flowers: December 10th.

Spread Holiday JOY with Poinsettias!

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 14

As we reach the midpoint of our 12th year, PATHWAYS tutoring continues to welcome new students and tutors. Each Monday evening students run up the stairs with their “baggage” -- pencils, notebooks, books, joys and concerns, but mostly, anticipation of their special time with a caring adult.

PATHWAYS has been blessed over the years with amazing leadership. Our current Directors, Mary Wynn Eisenberg and Sharon Penhallegonn, have been strong partners for three years. They, along with Susan Killian, our Chairman of the Board, have made sure that the ball was not dropped after Stephanie Kimmons’ departure.

Starting in August of 2018, we will need new leadership in place as Mary Wynn, Sharon, and Susan will step back from their positions. The board has delineated the roles for each position of Administrative Director, Program Director, and Board Chair. The Administrative Director oversees the logistics of the program (i.e. working with schools and families). The Program Director oversees the week-to-week operations. The Board Chair works with the board to raise funds needed to implement PATHWAYS and to set policy as needed.

You can learn more details about these positions by con-tacting Mary Wynn (Administrative Director 410.908.6216), Sharon (Program Director 410.665.2175), or Susan (Board Chair 410.236.9785). We ask that you consider either yourself or someone you know who has a passion for underserved chil-dren. The candidate could have a background in education or not. The hours vary depending on the time of year and the immediate needs of the program. It is a part-time, volunteer position with an abundance of awards in the way of personal satisfaction and a new appreciation for the resilience of stu-dents and the generosity of tutors who give their time weekly.

PATHWAYS tutoring has been supported financially by

many of our church members and those in the community

who want to see it flourish. Please help to ensure it continues

to serve the community by prayerfully considering what role

you or someone you know might fill in the future. Perhaps

someone in your book club, service group, school, neighbor-

hood, professional life, or retirement community would like to

hear about PATHWAYS. Pass on our need and make sure that

we continue to represent TUMC’s mission to serve those who

need us around the world and in our own backyard.

PATHWAYS Tutoring: Looking to the Future

Food Pantry: NEW DATES in 2018! OPEN from 9:00-10:30 AM

In 2018, the TUMC Food Pantry is “slightly flexing” its schedule. The new dates will be on a Satur-day closer to the 20th of each month (not the last Saturday of the month as in precious years). Many of our guests receive their government checks around the first of each month; and are out of funds by mid-month. We believe, the new schedule will be of a more timely-benefit for Food Pantry guests. For a complete 2018 Food Pantry Schedule, please visit the TUMC webpage, click “missions”, then ‘Emergency Food Pantry”. Please continue to volunteer and donate. Thanks!

ANGEL TREE PROJECT TUMC will be supporting needy families this holiday

season through the Angel Tree. Take an “angel” from the tree in the lobby on Sunday Dec. 3 and fulfil the wishes of a child or parent. Return the wrapped gifts by Sun., Dec. 10. If you are unable to wrap the gift, volunteers will wrap it.

Also, we will be giving each family food and a gift certificate for meat for their Christmas din-ner. Cash donations will be used for this purpose. Please make checks payable to Towson United Methodist Church and write “Angel Tree” as the subject. Vol-unteers will prepare the gifts for delivery on Thursday, Dec. 14, and they will be delivered on Saturday morning, Dec. 16.

If you have questions or want to volunteer, please contact:

Margie Bandy, 410.583.2105 marjorie.bandy17@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Baskets

Thanks to everyone who filled or pur-chased a Thanksgiving basket this year — and, thanks to the many members who donated additional funds for the TUMC Emergency Food Pantry staff to provide gift cards and other needed holiday items for the guests who visit our food pantry. You have truly made a difference!

Dec-Jan 2017-2018 ... page 15

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday Morning Worship

8:15 AM and 10:15 AM

ALL Dec Communion Offering: Disaster Relief

ALL Tues Meet the Pastor @ Bob Evans, 9:30AM

Jan Sun Photos for Pictorial Directory

Dec 1 Youth Group: Nerf Wars

Dec 2 Gingerbread House Workshop

Dec 3 Youth Council Meeting @ 11:30 AM

Dec 3 Holiday Toy Drive

Bring a new toy to church

Dec 10 All-Music Worship Service

Dec 10 Food, Fun & Fellowship for All Seasons

Chili & Nativity Chalk Talk FREE!

Dec 10 Angel Tree Project Ends

Bring gift donations to church

Dec 10 Holiday Toy Drive

Bring a new toy to church

Dec 10 Youth Group: Dinner & Holiday

Shopping for Christmas Family

Dec 17 Youth Group: Dinner & Gift Wrapping

Dec 24 No classes, childcare or youth group

Dec 24 8:15 AM Chapel Advent Service

10:15 AM Carol Choir Musical Worship

8:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service

11:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service

Dec 31 10:15 AM New Year’s Eve ONE Worship

Service & Breakfast in Fellowship Hall

Dec 31 No classes, childcare or youth group

Jan 1 New choir groups begin

Jan 5 Youth Group: Ice Skating

Jan 7 Christ Deaf Church visits TUMC

Jan 7 Say “Cheese!” for Pictorial Directory

Jan 7 Youth Council Meeting @ 11:30 AM

Jan 14 High Spire Deadline for Feb issue

Jan 7 Say “Cheese!” for Pictorial Directory

Jan 14 Youth Group: Dinner and Discussion

Jan 20 Youth Group: Volunteer Mission @

local UMCOR hub

Jan 26-28 Youth Group ROCK in Ocean City, MD

Jan 28 NO Youth Group at TUMC

Feb 23-25 Women’s Retreat in

Middletown, MD

Looking Forward:

SERMON SERIES and BIG HAPPENINGS

Dec 1—June 3

Advent: Under Construction

Dec 3 Zechariah: A New Voice Dec 10 Elizabeth: Worth the Wait Dec 17 Joseph: A New Purpose Dec 24 Mary: Unexpected Changes I Love to Tell the Story

Jan 7 How Can I Explain This? John 1: 1-18 Jan 14 Dueling Priests 1 Kings 18: 17-39 Jan 21 Is There Something in the Water?

Luke 10: 1-15 Jan 28 Good What? Luke 10: 25-37 Feb 4 The Blind Man Who Saw

John 9 Big Events

Jan 7 Christ Deaf Church visits TUMC Feb 11 Bishop LaTrelle Easterling preaches Mar 18 Back to Church Sunday: Children’s Musical Apr Youth Choir Cantata May 13 Mother’s Day Jun 3 Marriage Renewal Sunday

Towson United Methodist Church is a community of Christ-

followers growing in love of God and neighbor. This is what we at

Towson UMC believe Christian discipleship is, what we are to be,

and what Jesus meant when he sent his followers to “make

disciples”—

We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s

image. We commit to Jesus’ example of inclusive love, care, and

intentional hospitality with persons of every race, ethnicity, age,

sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, faith story,

physical or mental ability, economic status, or political

perspective. We respect our diversity of opinion and expressions

of faith. Therefore, as God loves us, so let us love and serve in the

name of Christ. — adopted by the TUMC Church Council

Learn Great Things about God.

Do Great Things with God!

8:15 AM Traditional Service in the Chapel Communion every Sunday with piano or organ accompaniment. 8:45-10 AM Coffee Hour in the Parlor 9-10 AM Educational Classes & Programs 10:15 AM Worship Service in the Sanctuary Communion on the first Sunday of each month — open to all — with a richly varied service that blends vocal and handbell choirs, praise band, traditional and contemporary song, old-fashioned hymns, and glorious 3,000-pipe organ music.

Yes! Gluten-free bread is available.

RESIDENT or

TOWSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

501 Hampton Lane : Towson, Maryland 21286

410.823.6511 : www.towsonumc.org

Business Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D

PERMIT NO. 198 LUTHERVILLE, MD

High spire

Licensed childcare and pre-school ages 2 through pre-kindergarten

410.825.0008 www.hamptonlanecdc.org

Rise & Shine

Dec-Jan 2017-2018

Towson UMC

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT TUMC

Peace on

Earth