Come on Sunday to see their final results.

2020 Budget ApprovedAt the called Congregational Meeting following the

worship on December 15th, the proposed budget for next year, 2020, was unanimously approved. The total budget for the year begins as a deficit, but other factors, including faith, led the congregation to believe the income total will increase.

On Saturday morning, Nov. 30th, Fifteen members answered the call to make our building ready for Christmas. Those persons known to us are Lys & Jerdyn S., Racquel A., Sue H. & her daughter, Cameron & Nathan McL., Nancy O., Pat Auten, Carl & Donna K., Caroline B., Jean G., Leigh

L., & Rev. Cynthia. Thank you, all of you, and a special thanks to Leigh for his photos to share here.

**************December Events to Remember Sun., 22: Choir Cantata, 10:45 (For more information, see page 4)

Tues., 24: Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 PM Candlelight worship with communion. Offering to go to Communities in Schools of Renton.

Sun., 29: We are Hosting the REACH Community Meal. Volunteers will cook and serve. Caroline B., coordinator. The menu includes macaroni and cheese, chili, salad, rolls and wrapped desserts.

Mon., 30 Extra Monday Muncher lunch will meet at the Chestnut Cafe, 12:00.

January Special Party Invitation Nancy Osborn is having a 75th

birthday party and Open House to be held in the church sanctuary. For details see the invitation on page 3.

Page , Mid-December 2019~ Mid-January 2020 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 980581In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of ChristPhone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Mid-December 2019 - Mid-January 2020

The WeathervaneThe Newsletter of United Christian Church, Renton, WA

Claudia Gillispie, Editor newsletter@uccrenton.org

Find Direction at United Christian Church, An Open and Affirming

Congregation. No matter where you are on

life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Preparing for Christmas at United Christian Church, Renton

Rev.’s Reflections Happy Advent and Merry Christmas! And soon, a Happy New Year, Shining Epiphany and more!

It's no coincidence that the season of longer nights and in our part of the world, colder temperatures is filled with celebrations. Or that those celebrations are marked by bright light, shining through and offering a promise of warmth and of hope - candles, bright guiding stars, even

some fireworks! It's a joy to journey through this season with you, as we recall that All Earth Is Waiting to see the promised one, the light of the world.

I want to encourage you to join us, if you are able, for worship for the Cantata, December 22, then our December 24 Christmas Eve service at 7 pm. And, to commit to continuing the weekly worship habit into the new year - it will bring a new light and warmth into each week.

A word of gratitude to those who have offered leadership through our stewardship emphasis and other efforts to sustain and build our vital ministry for the coming year and beyond. I join these leaders in offering thanks for those who have pledged toward our ministry budget for the coming year, and who have made or pledged special gifts to support our work through this transitional time. If you would like to make a pledge for 2020, or to discuss a special gift, you may contact treasurer Linda Becker, incoming moderator Jolynn Kenney, incoming vice-moderator Jennifer White, or me.

As we move into 2020, we do so with joy and a bold, hopeful faith! We will continue to reach out to our neighbors and community through acts of mercy and justice, and we will grow together!

With Appreciation and hope,

Pastor Cynthia

PS: Watch for information about our coming ALL-Church Retreat! —————————————

Worship in January and Beyond: Walking with Jesus, in the Neighborhood

January 5: Epiphany - Following the Star (Yes, you'll receive a Star Word for the year!) January 12: Baptism of Jesus - Following to the River (A renewal of baptism and welcoming of the Holy Spirit) January 19 - February 16: It's Such a Good Feeling! Living the Faith of Mr. Rogers (Prepare by seeing the documentary, Won't You Be My Neighbor? and new movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) Watch for more ways to participate in this special emphasis!

Note: We will use the book Peaceful Neighbor as part of this focus. The link will provide information and the preface to the book. If you'd like to have a copy ($12) please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Place or let Pastor Cynthia know, ASAP. The Sunday Study may use this book and/or we might have an in-person or online book group. What would you participate in?

Musings From Our Moderator I am among many that love the Christmas season. It means so many different things to the people of the world. It is always fun to read about how Christmas is celebrated in many countries. It is also fun to discover how they celebrate on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I hope you purchased the Advent Book that Pastor Cynthia selected for us.

What food do you eat that represents your Heritage? My Grandmother Hardt was German so she baked the cookies her mother had taught her how to bake and sang the German Christmas carols. She is the one that taught my mother how to bake these German goodies. Grandma’s daughters were not interested. And there was a time in my life that I baked those cookies. I wanted Beth, my daughter, to be exposed to this part of her heritage. Baking reminded me of the Christmas season, family, and the Christ child.

At this holiday season, do you have decorating and baking that remind you of family and friends? Do you celebrate the birth of Christ with those you love? My Mom, Dad, and sister Barbara are no longer with me but I know they are watching how I celebrate, and my sister Peg and I always know they are with us.. My ex-husband loved the holiday but had never celebrated with cookies and a special meal. He was very appreciative of all that I baked and loved helping to plan the menu for Christ’s Birthday. Since we didn’t live near family we often invited the neighbors to join us and we shared Christ’s Birth and why we celebrated it.

This holiday season share with those around you and the reason why we are celebrating. Remember those in need of cereal, warm hats and gloves, protein bars to get them through the school day and help to keep the Little Pantry filled. Come to church and celebrate this very special season. All are welcome. ~Pat~

[This is Pat’s last “Musings” as our Moderator. Jolynn Kenney will become our Moderator on January 1. Thank you Pat, for your leadership, and we wish you better health with less responsibilities. —cg]

Page , Mid-December 2019~ Mid-January 2020 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;2In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Dates & Times to Remember Sundays: Study Group: Office bldg. conference room; 9:00 am; Sharing time, 9:15 am: Bible Study discussion, Advent & Acts (New study begins mid-January) 10 am: Coffee & Visiting in Gathering Place/Narthex. 10:45 am: Worship; Fellowship following the service 1st Sunday: Elders Mtg, following Worship, Office Bldg. 2nd Sun.: Council Mtg, 1 pm, sanctuary; okay to bring lunch 2nd & 4th Mondays: Monday Munchers eat out 12:00 pm, Locations listed below. All are welcome. Thursdays: Choir Practice, 7:00-8:30 pm.

Other Groups Using Our Campus Regularly Include: Monday—Friday: Montessori School, 7 am-5 pm, Ed. Bldg., 2nd & 4th Fridays: SCA group, 6 pm - 10 pm, all buildings Saturdays: AA, 10:30 am, Ed. Bldg. basement room. Sundays: “All-In” AA group, 6:30-7:45 pm, Sanctuary December —January Activities Dec. 22, Choir Christmas Cantata worship service Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm Dec. 29, Prepare & serve the REACH Community Meal (pg 1) Dec. 30, Monday Munchers extra lunch @Chestnut Cafe, 12:00 Jan. ??, Undecorating, day to be determined Jan. 7, REACH Mtg, 12:00-1:30 pm. (location TBA) Jan. 12, Council Meeting, following worship, in sanctuary Jan. 12, Monthly “Noisy Offering” (Coins) Jan. 12, Birthday Open House for Nancy Osborn, 2:00 - 4:30pm Jan. 13, Monday Munchers @ Alki Bakery, Kent, 12:00 Jan. 15, Mid-Month E-mail Newsletter sent out.

The Little Free Pantry shelves look much emptier than this picture of it shows. Items particularly needed are peanut butter and jelly, canned hearty soups, vegetables, meats, macaroni & cheese, instant oatmeal packets, individual serving items and TP. Other personal hygiene items are also needed. Put these items in the red bin.

Besides the Little Pantry we also collect items for hungry kids such as: cereal & protein bars, beef sticks, Trail Mix, dried fruit, yogurt covered raisins. These are distributed by Communities in Schools; and we continue to collect breakfast cereal and bars for REACH. Put these items in the round bins by the window.

REACH would like to offer Regal movie gift cards to the unhoused families they serve during the holiday season —along with entertainment & fun, this provides a safe, warm place to be during a cold day. REACH noted that these cards are available at Costco.

ANNIVERSARIES Dec. 31, Cindy & Cathy Thomas 2012

[If you know of an anniversary not already included contact Claudia Gillispie.]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You Are Invited to Nancy Osborn’s 75th Birthday Party Come one and all to help Nancy and her family celebrate! New friends and “old” are invited to attend an Open House, from 2:00-4:30 P.M. on January 12, 2020, in the United Christian Church sanctuary. The Chestnut Cafe will cater the event.

No Gifts Please! (Instead we suggest a new, cuddly, plush animal to be donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital). We hope to see YOU!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A New Door in our Front Yard

The upper photo is a smaller version of the one by the street across two doors. The lower photo is on the opposite side of the sign near the church front door.

Page , Mid-December 2019~ Mid-January 2020 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;3In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Monday Munchers Christmas Pie Dessert

Santa made an appearance at the Plum Delicious restaurant, surprising the wait staff there. He appeared again at the Kimsey home for these photos before disappearing again. Bill B. came late and missed him. Photos by Terry Kimsey.

Just for this year, there will be another December Monday Muncher lunch: on the 30th at the Chestnut Cafe, 12:00.

The Chancel Choir will present a Christmas Cantata, "Yearning for Emmanuel," during Sunday worship on December 22. This year, our readings consider our world —God's Creation—in light of the words of two prophets: Isaiah and John. Isaiah wrote: "Everybody, prepare the way of the Lord!" Centuries later, John warned his listeners: "Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” Come and celebrate the new life offered us in Christ's birth! Invite a neighbor or friend and come to experience "Yearning for Emmanuel.” Chris Copley,

Property Report from Dee Woods Shelving was installed in the exit hall by the furnace room for the purpose of

storing the donated Blessing Box items. The 2020 cleaning calendar sign up is posted on the bulletin board next to the furnace room. I am concerned no one is signing up to clean

(other than Jean Gilbertson, thank you). One person has asked me about maybe learning to straighten up the sanctuary room. Could the Sunday School class assume the emptying of garbage and recycle bins each Sunday in the front office and conference room? (And do a little general vacuuming and straightening?) Just a reminder, there are no general heat ducts in the sanctuary hallway and rest rooms. So remember to leave open restroom doors, the door from sanctuary into the hall, the double doors from the sanctuary to the narthex/gathering place, and the door from that room into the hallway to allow for heat circulation. However, we discovered that the door between the sacristy and the hall needs to be kept shut.

Property Co-Chair Cameron McLaughlin will be cleaning the gutters on the church buildings and attending to moss on the roof. He will also look into how to regulate the sanctuary restroom faucets, so the water runs an appropriate length of time. —Dee [Currently it runs too long, or not long enough! Editor cg]

Page , Mid-December 2019~ Mid-January 2020 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;4In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Something to Think About?

From Your Editor — We have accumulated some photos we didn’t have room for previously, so this year end edition of The Weathervane will include a few here. Send me your photos any time.

At Rev. Cynthia’s installation (new pastor) with Claudia Gillispie (old, founding member of UCC,R (1963). October 27, 2019

Let’s See… What do we do next? November 30, 2019

Jule S. and Tim McL. Besides learning how to create yarn items, Tim has been learning how to operate the church sound system (thanks, Tim). Last week he was told he had broken his arm after a fall. This week, maybe not?

Leroy V., Julie S., Michael M. at Munchers

Welcome to our distinguished guest! This handsome young buck walked up and said, “Hi,” at the beginning of Sunday service two weeks ago. What a joy to experience a living example of God's miraculous creation here at UCCR. From Lannette S. Nov. 11, 2019.

Page , Mid-December 2019~ Mid-January 2020 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;5In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org