Chardon United Methodist Church

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ.…For the body does not consist of one member but many."   I Corinthians 12:12&14.

After having been here for a few months, I have observed that it is hard for us to think and plan as if we are one church with many parts here at Chardon UMC. We need to understand that we are not a small church anymore, but we are not a “mega’ church either. We have a number of small groups and we have several worship services, which is all good. The challenge is for us to think and act like we are one church and to plan events which do include the whole body (church).

Recently, two committees joined together to plan one event for Advent for the whole church. But as Ideas and energy began to flow forth, we ended up planning three events for the Advent season that will be designed for the entire church to participate in. These are not “youth events”, “men’s events”, “STRUCK events” or just for “…..”; but rather whole church “intergenerational events” for everyone to participate in. We know that it is a busy time of year and your family may not be able to do all of these, but they are being planned so that everyone is welcome to participate as much as possible and we hope that you will participate in at least one or two of these events.

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, November 29th at 3:00pm Adults and families will be asked to help decorate the church for the Advent-Christmas season. Special activities for children will be planned with a light supper and an advent vespers service to close the evening.

Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 6th time to be announced. We will divide into teams and go Christmas Caroling to special members of our congregation and community. Then we will return to church to share the experience and a bit of hot refreshment before returning home.

Christmas Pageant and Dinner

Sunday, December 13th at 5:00pm in Hayden Hall. We have over 30 children already practicing with Linda Prusha for this pageant. We want their families and friends to stay and enjoy a great catered Christmas dinner. The new members in 2009 will be special guests and other events for this evening are being planned.

Each of these events are still in the planning stages, but we hope that you will come and be a part of these celebrations, and that each group within the church will help with planning, decorating, and cleaning up after these events. My hope is that we can set a pattern for thinking like one congregation with many parts, and celebrate the value of not only the parts but our whole church.

That we all may be one in the Advent Spirit of Love,
Pastor Dan