CAN I GET A WITNESS?

One of my summer rituals growing up was an annual trip to Lakeland, Florida to see my aunt, uncle and cousins for a week. Often my aunt and cousins would come back to North Carolina with us. On one particular return trip, we stopped in Jessup, GA for lunch. Coming out of the restaurant we heard a car crash i front of the establishment. As the police made their way to the parking lot to investigate the incident, they asked "did anyone see anything". My cousin eagerly exclaimed 'I saw it all!' Just as eagerly my aunt pushed his head into the back of the car like a jack-in-the-box saying 'Hush, you didn't see a thing.' My aunt was so afraid of being retained as a witness.

Years later as I think back to this story it reminds me how often the church responds to the call to witness like my aunt. We are afraid to stand out in the crowd, to say what we believe and tell our Faith story to others. What a missed opportunity for us to be the body of Christ in the world.

At the 2008 General Conference the delegation voted to change the liturgy for confirmation and the reception of new members. The question is asked "will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness." The addition of "witness" emphasizes a priority needed among United Methodism in 2011.

CAN I GET A WITNESS?

CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT WON'T BREAK

I received one of those from Alaska this week! When the package came to the front door, I looked at the return address. It read 'ak' I'm so up on things I called Catherine to see if she knew anyone in Arkansas. She informed me 'ak' was Alaska and then I was really stumped. So I proceeded to open the package.

Inside was an American flag with a certificate of authenticity to Mr and Mrs Greene. My first thoughts were skeptical (they didn't even have our first names) as I read the declaration. It had flown in actual combat in Afghanistan.(right) But then my eyes drifted to the person who sent the package. It was a young lady that I had followed through elementary, middle and high school who is now serving in the military. I have no clue why she chose me to be the recipient of such a special gift. Could it be that I shared gifts with her that won't break as she was growing up and she is now returning the favor. At least that's what I believe.

We can never know the impact we have on a child. And it is the simple gifts that matter, unconditional love, respect, hope,joy and peace. And she will never know how my heart was warmed on that cold December day.

Yes, it came in a box but it was packed with wishes of love, hope, joy and peace.

CAMP SUNSHINE PARTY

We had a very successful party again this year thanks to everyone's help and co-operation. The kids enjoyed the activities, presents they chose for their family from Kirby's store, food, singing and helping Giles tell the Christmas story.

One of the camper's enjoyed his scarf because 'he knew someone took special care to knit such a beautiful scarf'. The smiles and excitement on their faces always makes it worthwhile. Thank you FUMC for supporting this activity both during the summer and at Christmas.

ACTION FIGURES

Most teenagers despise to hear an adult start out a story with "well when I was your age," but that is exactly how my prayer breakfast devotion began. I shared with them about the birth of the Star Wars action figures.

You see, my dad owned a toy store so this was our time of year! Except when the most desirable toys were unavailable. Such was the case with the Star Wars action figures. Kenner toy manufacturer was not prepared for the popularity of Star Wars after the movie's inception. Every kid on the planet wanted a doll! So in a stroke of marketing genius, Kenner sold empty boxes with the promise to fill that box as soon as the action figures became available. This kept a lot of children from being disappointed at Christmas.

The concept of Star Wars features good triumphing over evil and gave people "hope".
Sounds familiar to our Biblical "action figure" who came to us in the birth of Jesus. He continues to bring that hope to a broken world.

As the sr hi's left McDonalds with their star wars key chains, I was summoned by two different people in the restaurant. They asked if I birthed all those kids and I said "sometimes it feel like it. I surely love them like my own," I continued. I had the opportunity to witness about the youth at First Methodist. They commented "what a great group of young men and women." Both folks thanked me for the message they overheard and for leading the youth. I told them it was an honor because our youth give me "hope".

Go out and hug one of our youth this Christmas season. It will warm your heart.
--beckygreene

CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT WON'T BREAK

Just like most of you, I was out shopping on 'Black Friday'. However, this Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season and instead of looking to fill boxes under the tree, we need to think outside the box to find gifts that won't break. Gifts that bring meaning to our lives beyond instant gratification. Several opportunities are provided for you through our church. This Sunday, bring a nativity from your home to be blessed at our worship service. This will help keep Jesus at the center of your holiday focus.

The annual Camp Sunshine Christmas party keeps giving to children in need. Each of you will be asked to bring a blanket and pillow to share the warmth of Jesus' love the day of our party, December 12, 2-4pm.

Invite persons you know who have experienced loss or grief this year to attend the Blue Christmas service December 14 at 12:15 pm in our chapel. The prayer beads you made will be distributed on this occassion to remind persons they are not alone.

Let's try each day to give gifts from our hearts. Time, love, hope and faith can't be put in a box under the tree, but they can be shared in our community this Christmas season.
--beckygreene

SENIOR HI RETREAT

This month I went on my fifth retreat to Valle Crucis. As usual it was a time to center myself, spend time with friends and get closer to God. When we prepare for Valle Crucis the spiritual aspect is often forgotten among the packing and excitement about the candy store or where we are going to sit on the bus. However, as soon as I get up the mountain and sit in a rocking chair to look at the gorgeous view, I can immediately feel God's presence around me. Throughout the weekend we focused on the same question we asked ourselves on Mission Trip that summer, "What kind of world do you want?" It was a great way to think back to July and how compelled we were by the song 'World' by Five for Fighting. We were asked to focus on what kind of world we want for our school, our family, our church and ourselves.

When we returned to Gastonia it was time to get our homework done and catch up on sleep to get ready for the school week. It has been two weeks since the retreat, and it's always a challenge to keep yourself in the same mindset you had on the retreat. However, the prayer journals we made that weekend have really helped me to take some time out of each day to reflect on how I', molding my world into what God wants it to be. After all, "history starts now."

Megan Mallonee

MID HI VALLE CRUCIS

I asked the youth 'What did you learn about standing out as a disciple of Christ? What are the key ingredients of your faith'? I challenged them to read a chapter in James each night because that was the biblical base of our weekend sessions. Here are some of the responses thus far:

When I was reading James 1 I found a great verse! James 1:13 "God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire he is dragged away and enticed. Gray Heath



My favorite part in James was when it talked about the poverty and riches. My favorite part in James 2 was verse 8 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself'. = BE HAPPY Chelsea Vale



I plan to tell people about our trip & I've written a prayer in my journal each night so far. I love that idea so much ... it's private but its a way to let my feelings out. I have told people about it too & they said they might start trying that. Madison Dellinger



Ya! I plan to stand out in a crowd by not going along with people that talk about others and just walk away. I hope that makes me stand out in a way that people know that I am a follower of only Christ. Holly McIntosh

Ava Smith went to Wendy's on the way home. When a lady asked about her hoodie, she used it as an opportunity to witness to her faith. She proceeded to share what Valle Crucis meant to her. The lady was so impressed she bought Ava's lunch.