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From the Corner of

2023 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EDITION

HYDE PARK COMMUNITY UMC MAGAZINE

As we move into a season of thanksgiving, we are thankful for all of you and celebrate the wonderful ways that you embody the hope and love of Jesus through worship, service, and companionship as Hyde Park Community UMC! This fall you have embodied the hope and love of Jesus through worship. We have considered what it means to live out the Values of a Spirit-filled Community and to Embody Hope. It has been wonderful to welcome the choirs back after their summer break. We have heard inspiring video testimonies from congregation members about how we embody hope as Hyde Park Community UMC. We joined together in combined services in order to worship and then enjoy the Block Party and the Hope Sunday lunch together. You have embodied the hope and love of Jesus through service. We have resumed Super Serve Saturday and tutoring at Rothenberg Elementary. You have donated many items to make sure the children had supplies and snacks for school. You have embodied the hope and love of Jesus through companionship. It is wonderful to have our adult Sunday School classes back in session after a summer break. We are thrilled to have a new class at 11am and to offer a children’s moment and choir during the 11am service. We have begun a caregivers support group which is providing companionship to those who give so much of themselves. As we anticipate these special months we look forward to the many special worship services: the All Saints Remembrance service, Jazz Vespers, Advent services, and of course, Christmas Eve! We look forward to hosting our next week of Found House guests, having Bust a Crust in our building, and working together on Thanksgiving baskets! We look forward to the ways that we will care for and connect with one another as companions in faith together, like the Advent Retreat and the Live Nativity. Thank you Hyde Park Community! Pastors Suzanne, Todd, and Kate

Sermon Series | November 5, 12, 19, 26

All Saints

Holiday co n ver sati on s

Nov. 5 All Saints, special guest preacher Kaitlin Curtice

Nov. 12 Uncomfortable Conversations Nov. 19 Truth Telling Conversations Nov. 26 Disarming Conversations

Sermon Series | December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 It is difficult to see at first glance, but there is quite a bit of music in the Bible. The Psalms, the Song of Solomon, and Lamentations, make up about 90% of the lyrics recorded in the scriptures. This Advent season, we will delve into some examples of the other 10%: canticles (or holy songs) sung by Bible characters in response to an encounter with God.

December 3rd: Hannah’s Song (1 Samuel 2:1-10), which she sang after the improbable birth of her son Samuel following a long period of infertility.

December 10th: Zechariah & Elizabeth’s Song (Luke 1:67-79), which Zechariah sang after the birth of their son John the Baptist, again after a lifetime of infertility.

December 17th: Mary and Joseph’s Song (Luke 1:46-55), which Mary sang after learning that she would miraculously bear Jesus Christ.

December 24th, One morning service at 10 am: Songs of Angels (Luke 2:8-14),

the “Gloria” the angels sang when Jesus was born. (Christmas Eve Services listed on next page)

December 31st, one service at 10 am: Simeon and Anna’s Song (Luke 2:22-38), which Simeon sang after seeing the infant Jesus in the temple.

This Advent season, discover and rediscover biblical songs of anticipation, faith, and triumph as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Eve S E R V I C E S

4:00 p.m.

Candlelight Family Service with music from children’s choirs. Nursery care is provided for children 4 yrs. & under.

6:00 p.m. Candle lighting and Carols with music from Aimee Stockdale and our praise band. Nursery care is provided for children 4 yrs. & under.

8:30 p.m.

8:30 – 9:00 pm: Prelude music featuring John Rutter’s Gloria as well as other Christmas selections from the Cathedral Choir, Canterbury Brass, and Carillon Choir. 9:00 – 10:00 pm: Traditional Christmas Eve service with the Cathedral Choir, Canterbury Brass, Carillon Choir, and One Accord. Candle lighting and Carols. NO Nursery care is provided.

11:00 p.m. Wesley Choir will provide music, Candle lighting and Carols. NO Nursery care is provided.

Music in Advent & Christmas

With a sermon series like “Songs of Advent,” one might expect some significant Music Ministry involvement in our weekly services! Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, nearly every ensemble in our Music Ministry will illuminate our worship with selections of hope, love, peace, and joy. Notably, the Cathedral and Wesley choirs will premiere, or perform for the first time, four new pieces of music. Even more special, all four pieces were composed by people within our congregation.

Sunday December 3rd, 9:30 service: The Cathedral Choir will premiere The Song of Hannah by Ben Owen, Director of Music Ministries. In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah had prayed desperately for a child after a long period of infertility. When she finally bore a son, the future prophet Samuel, she gave him up to be raised in the temple as an act of gratitude to God. Her prayer as she gives Samuel up, set in this piece, is found in 1 Samuel 2. Ben Owen’s setting holds Hannah’s feelings of triumph and grief in tension with dramatic choral writing and an extensive use of the organ. Sunday, December 10th, 8:00 service: The Wesley

Choir will premiere We Wait For Peace by Mary Kay Morris. Incorporating verses from Psalm 2, Mary Kay’s original text asks why peace is so difficult to achieve – a poignant question in today’s geopolitical context.

2023 Advent Retreat

Sunday, December 17th, 9:30 service: The Cathedral

Choir will premiere Come, Baby Jesus by Tom Jordan. Our congregation is no stranger to Tom Jordan’s compositions, as the Cathedral Choir has sung many of his anthems throughout the last thirty years. Composed in 2009, the lullaby Come, Baby Jesus takes listeners on a journey from Advent to Epiphany. Musically, touches of jazz harmonies that color its memorable melody create the perfect cozy Christmas vibe.

Sunday, December 24th, 8:30 pm Christmas Eve service:

The Cathedral Choir, Canterbury Brass, Carillon Choir, and the whole congregation will premiere Brenda Portman’s new arrangement of O Come, All Ye Faithful as the opening hymn. Her arrangement is perfectly tailormade for our church because it incorporates our choir, handbell ensemble, and festival brass ensemble.

Use the QR code to register and save your spot today!

Songs of Advent Led by Ben Owen & Meredith Menius

Saturday, December 2 8:30am-12:30pm

Outdoor Live COMMUNITYUMC

Nativity Discover Bethlehem

Sunday, December 10th 5:00-7:30pm Outdoor ONLY Event

Free Family Event (All Ages Welcome)

Hyde Park Community UMC 1345 Grace Ave., Hyde Park www.hydeparkchurch.org

Advent Devotional 2023

This Advent, we are going to use A Sanctified Art: How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Advent devotional. Please read the introduction to this devotional below. “Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. This season, we invite you to look closely at the details in the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Discover where joy is sprinkled throughout the narrative. Identify the moments when joy arrives—despite trepidation, fear, or grief. And consider how joy can be a companion to you this season, for our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy—fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. This devotional is designed to help you practice joy in a weary world. Each week offers art, reflections, poetry, and hymns. Journey through these pages at your own pace.

May each week offer you rhythms for rejoicing—through acknowledging your weariness, finding joy in connection, allowing yourself to be amazed, singing stories of hope, making room, rooting yourself in ritual, and remembering your belovedness. And so, this Advent, let us hold space for our weariness and our joy. Let us seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. Let us welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.”

Look for this devotional in the Welcome Center and other entrances of the church soon.

Paul Owen

Advent Jazz Vespers Wednesday

December 13th @ 7pm Bishop Luis Andres Caicedo Guayara

Join us at the Advent Jazz Vespers service at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 13th. Led by Paul Owen, the Jazz Vespers Combo will create a seasonal worship experience with a decidedly Latin flavor. Bishop Luis Andres Caicedo Guayara, Columbian Methodist Church, is our guest preacher. He has been a friend of Pastor Todd and Patti for a number of years and comes to us in friendship.

Thank you for your Generous Financial Support of the Ministries of HPCUMC! Thank you to everyone who participated in Hope Sunday and who made a 2024 pledge by card or online. Your generosity makes all the difference to the impact we have as we strive to embody the hope and love of Jesus with all. 7

Facilitator: Pastor Dave Weaver

Advent Study 2023

Incarnation-Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas Every Wednesday

starting Nov. 29th, ending Dec. 20th

10:00AM-11:30AM

Location: Social Hall Deadline to register is Nov. 26. You are invited to participate in a 4-week book, bible and DVD study by author Rev. Adam Hamilton. We will delve into questions like: Why would God come to us in Jesus? What was the purpose of the Incarnation? How are we to respond to the Incarnation, to God’s coming to us in Jesus, today? Each chapter we will explore the different names and titles of Jesus found in the Gospels.

Register using the QR code or by calling the church office at 871-1345. Pick-up your book at the church office or order online. Suggested donation $10.00. Any questions contact Pastor Dave at dlweaver922@gmail.com.

We welcome anyone 7th grade & older to be part of the Confirmation Journey. Classes begin

January 21, 2024 Confirmation Sunday

April 21, 2024 de 7th gruap!! and

Registration Now Open! Scan the QR code below

HPCUMC Preschool is to encourage the development of each child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills, as well as spiritual growth in order to prepare each child for the formal learning experience.

Learning Through Play! Learn more by visiting our website www.hydeparkpreschool.org. Questions? Email us at preschool@hpcumc.org.

Vacation Bible School SAVE–THE–DATE!

June 10-14, 2024 Registration Opens February 1st Preschool: 9:00-11:30am Elementary: 6:00-8:30pm

Questions? Contact Dana Calhoun - dcalhoun@hpcumc.org

Be Still … A Reflective Moment

Gratitude for the Little Things

A lot has been written recently about gratitude, what it is and the potential benefits of living a grateful life. Brother David SteindlRast, Benedictine monk and co-founder of A Network for Grateful Living, says that gratitude involves the recognition, appreciation, and acknowledgment that something of value to you has been freely given to you. (1) This requires slowing down to be able to notice what is in front of you. And research shows that living a grateful life strengthens relationships, increases joy, decreases stress and anxiety, decreases depression, increases productivity, increases resilience, increases positive outlook, and improves sleep. (2) It is easy to recognize, appreciate, and acknowledge the “big things” in life such as the birth of a healthy baby or the successful treatment of a cancer. But what about the little things, the little moments we experience sometimes on a daily basis? Sr. Joyce Rupp is a well-known author, speaker, and retreat leader and is co-director of The Institute for Compassionate Presence. In her book, “Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season” (3), she writes gratitude, yes, for all the big things that stand tall, thick with abundance, joy, fruitfulness. I cannot help but applaud their presence. but deep thankfulness for the bite-sized pieces of my life? I had not thought of them, those little snippets of time so easily consumed in the hurry and blur of pretentious days. 11

the little moments, assumed and presumed, slip quickly through the fingers of my busy life. November gestures with a wrinkled brown hand, beckons me wisely to consider those fleeting moments of grace, in things quickly passing: a walk on a musky-wooded path, a cup of coffee silently savored, a birdsong in the squeaky hours of dawn, the gentle touch of a liver-spotted hand, a loving letter from a grateful stranger, a fading crescent moon in a royal blue sky. I turn to gather finely layered remnants like these in the come and go of my days, and discover, with surprise, how quickly my inner room is a harvest place of gold. What are you grateful for? What are the big things, the big moments that are hard to miss? What are the little things, the little moments that can so easily pass without notice or become so routine that you no longer think about them? Spend some time discovering the riches of your inner room. You might be surprised what you find!

(1) A Network for Grateful Living. www.gratefulness.org. (2) Nataly Kogan, Gratitude Daily. www.soundstrue.com (3) Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season, Ave Maria Press, 2000, p. 204-205.

Christine McHenry, MD, MATS | October, 2023

THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER MUSIC by Peggy Schmidt

“Curious, courageous and connected” describe the music presented in our worship services, just as they do our church’s core values. This is especially true of the music we heard this summer while the Cathedral and Wesley choirs were “on vacation.” We were blessed with a with a variety of different musical celebrations from mid-June to early September—new and modern, familiar and traditional, classical as Cello Suite No. 5 by Bach and jazzy as Come Sunday by Duke Ellington, instrumental and vocal— something memorable and connecting for each of us. Brenda Portman’s original composition, Ekklesia, led off the summer in June. A series of seven tone poems for solo organ, this music was commissioned by Martin Ellis (a church, concert and theater organist in Portland, Oregon) and conceived as a response to the COVID19 pandemic. It is based on seven scriptures which “reveal clues about the true identity and purpose of the Ekklesia.” Ekklesia, from the Greek, is often defined as the church, but really refers to the community of all believers in Christ, regardless of denomination, language or nationality, “who are called to represent the kingdom of God and to be a light in the darkness of this world.” Brenda also composed Prelude on a Swedish Hymn Tune (How Great Thou Art), which was played by the Hyde Park Community Band at a service later in the summer. She wrote this piece of music in 2019 as a gift to a former teacher who was retiring. The teacher taught the band at the middle school Brenda attended. Ben Owen initiated the idea to create the Hyde Park Community Band as we were returning to worship following COVID. It was a new way for us to be in community with one another. However, this summer he turned the conductor’s baton over to Brenda so he could play trombone with the group, the instrument he played with his musical family as he was growing up in Iowa. Long-time HPCUMC member Ron Purdon plays in the Community Band and leads the Ron Purdon Quintet as well. He has been involved with and/or leading band music for seventy years and his group has been part of our worship service for the past three years. To celebrate the faithfulness of God, Ron often selects traditional spirituals or hymns arranged for bands. As usual this summer, the postlude of the service for which they played was When The Saints Go Marching In. Often part of funeral services, especially in the South, it reminds us that good will follow difficult times much like the words of Psalm 30:5 comfort us—“weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” One Accord is a men’s ensemble led by Tom Jordan. This “baker’s dozen,” easily recognized in their varied shades of black/gray shirts and tan slacks, has been part of church worship for about twenty years. Lord, Listen To Your Children, which One 13

Accord performed this summer, was one of the first songs the group sang at our church. “So it seemed appropriate to include this year,” Tom said. It was written by Ken Medema, a blind musician whose songs usually reflect social commentary about justice, hunger, poverty, and Christian charity. All members of One Accord also sing in the Cathedral Choir. In spite of their busy schedules, they are committed to sing for us at least two times a year--in the summer and on Christmas Eve.. In August, a new choral ensemble, Hyde Park Musica Antiqua, participated in worship. The idea for this a cappella octet—performing music of the Renaissance era (ca. 1450-1600)—came from Ric Bowen, who became familiar with this style of music while working on his doctorate at CCM. He and his wife, Eileen, also performed this music as part of the small professional choir at Old St. Mary’s in Over-the-Rhine, which includes a Latin Mass among its Sunday services.“It required a leap of faith for all who joined this group because most had not sung this type of repertoire before,” Rick said. “This is quite different from singing in a larger choir. The singers are very exposed—just two on a part—which requires them to develop a strong confidence in their own musical abilities.” Among the motets they performed, Exsultate justi and Sicut cervus are representative examples of what we may expect to hear in the future. Steve Dauterman is a member of One Accord and Hyde Park Musica Antiqua. He also sings with the Cathedral Choir and once a month serves as liturgist during the 9:30 service. Since liturgy is very important to Steve, he chose the repertoire he sang this summer by first looking up the scripture readings for that day, then perusing Brenda’s website for solo arrangements he felt would fit. “Knowing that the theme of the day was ‘foundation’ and ‘building on a rock,’ my eye quickly went to How Firm A Foundation and My Hope Is Built,” Steve said. “They fit right into the message of the day and I immediately knew I would sing those two pieces.” Steve has been singing in church choirs since first grade. His mother was the choir director at his home church in Findlay, Ohio. “Music is a part of my soul,” he explained. “It is one more way that I can give back to the church what it has given me.” Steve was also part of instrumental music programs in school—band, marching band and orchestra. In fact, you may have noticed him playing his trombone next to Ben in the Hyde Park Community Band this summer. Ben Owen introduced us to the liturgical music of chants usually sung by cantors in Roman Catholic Latin masses. With only a singing bell as accompaniment, his steady, resonant, calming voice spread over the congregation from the balcony, reminding us of the roots of our Lord, Jesus Christ. During his performance, the sanctuary was silent enough to hear a pin drop which gave us each the opportunity to reflect on our personal relationship with God. 14

The summer music season concluded in early September with two pieces for timpani— Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copeland and March for Two Pair of Kettle Drums by Andre and Jacques Philidor. The latter was first performed in the presence of King Louis XIV at Versailles in 1683. The former has ties to Cincinnati. Copeland wrote it in 1942 in response to a request from Eugene Goosens, then conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony. Copeland intended it to be a tribute to honor those who were serving in WWII. It premiered here in March of 1943. In 1976, it also became associated with the Olympics when it was played at the games held in Montreal. But perhaps the most original and unconventional Sunday this summer was August 20, when the words and music of Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musical Godspell were woven into the 9:30 and 11:00 services. How curious were you about how this would work? Did you expect to see and hear John the Baptist in the balcony telling us about the coming of Jesus or to see and hear Jesus walking down the center aisle of the church reminding us to love one another? Did you imagine you would see Pastor Todd smile and say “Thank you, Jesus” after Jesus prompted him it was time for the sermon or that you would hear Pastor Todd say it was a bit humbling to be preaching before both John the Baptist and Jesus? Did you expect the aisles and chancel of the church to be filled with a group of thirty-plus boisterous actors, dancers, singers and a rock band--some of them “on stage” for the first time, ranging in age from four to seventyplus? Did you picture the congregation rhythmically clapping and swaying in their pews, totally engaged in singing Day by Day? Jeff Sheldon, who regularly sings with the Wesley Choir and often serves as liturgist at the 8:00 service, joined the Godspell cast because he felt it is important to support the new musical events Ben Owen has introduced to our church. Jeff was surprised there were no “non-dancing” roles and he was impressed how very kind the younger cast members were to the older ones as they learned these routines. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Being forced out of one’s comfort zone tends to change you. How exactly, I’m not sure, but certainly for the better.” On August 20, “our sanctuary was jumpin’” to paraphrase a Fats Waller tune. And after both services, the joy, awe and spirit of unity flowed with the congregation out of the sanctuary into the Welcome Center and beyond. Godspell was an unlikely happening in an unlikely setting with an unlikely group of people--all possible because they were curious, courageous and connected and loved to praise God with music! Amen! If you are curious and courageous and would like to become personally connected to any of the music programs in our church, contact Ben Owen. 15

Alternative Gifts for Christmas

Supports Ukrainian Refugee Children & Teenagers The Advent and Christmas season is the time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends. One of the ways we can show the love of God and neighbor in a tangible way is through Alternative Gifts. Alternative Gifts is an opportunity to make a financial donation in honor of a loved one that makes a lasting impact.

Starting November 26th,

on Sundays stop by the Welcome Center to learn more about or purchase Alternative Gifts.

Support Ukrainian refugee children & teenagers attending Each donation includes a beautiful a summer camp Christmas card and an explanatory in Romania and/or note to give to a loved one. Switzerland in 2024. This is a great gift idea for honoring a loved Give new experiences & one who has passed, families, or for the person time to just enjoy being who “has everything.” in a safer place. Any amount helps and will directly support Ukrainian children & teenagers.

Want an electronic version instead of a physical card to share with your loved one? Contact Pastor Kate (ksmith@hpcumc.org) to make your donation and to receive the ecard.

Family

The HPCUMC Preschool Parent Organization invites you and your preschool-age children to Family Movie Night on Wednesday, November 29 from 6:00-7:30 PM.

2023-2024

20th Anniversary Season

February 18, 2024 @3pm

David Briggs

irs

riday Fellowship

November 3rd, December 1st

Our Senior Adult Ministry, First Friday Fellowship is about to have the last gathering on, Dec 1st starting at 11am. We will be celebrating the Christmas season with Queen City Sisters performing their acapella trio. With their tight harmonies and arrangements of songs from the 1930’s through the 1950’s, they bring a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the Cincinnati area. We hope you can join us for this joyous occasion. Please RSVP $10 to Peggy Schmidt by Nov. 28th, 2023. Peggy Schmidt’s contact info is meschmitt2013@gmail.com, 513.673.6841, or leave payment with you name in the First Friday Fellowship Mailbox. Please pay in cash or by check, made out to Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. Stay tuned in for the Spring line up, starting the First Friday of February!

New Member

Classes

We’re excited to announce our New Member Class dates for 2023-2024! These classes will be every other month on the second Sunday from 12:15pm-2:00pm in the Social Hall.

2023-2024 Schedule below:

December 10, 2023 February 11, 2024 April 14, 2024 June 9, 2024

Lunch is provided for each class. Email Meredith Menius at mmenius@hpcumc.org for questions.

Use the QR code to register for the date that works for your schedule. 18

NEW MEMBERS Please join us in welcoming these new faces to our church family! We were so delighted to welcome Annesleigh and Caleb Hendrix to HPCUMC on September 24!

ANNESLEIGH & CALEB HENDRIX Annesleigh and Caleb got married this summer, and live in Oakley. Caleb is a Software Engineer and Annesleigh is a User Researcher. Annesleigh and Caleb have been involved in serving with S3, and have also been attending the Young Adult Group that meets on Monday evenings. They are very excited to join HPC to continue to build community with this congregation. Annesleigh is joining after being baptized and confirmed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC, and Caleb is joining after being baptized at Urbancrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, OH.

Charge Conference—November 13th Each year the local church has a charge conference to do the organizational work of the church including: voting on the slate of leaders who have been nominated to serve the church, approving compensation for the appointed clergy, and reporting on membership. Our Charge Conference will take place on Monday November 13th in conjunction with the Servant Leadership Board meeting. While we have a full slate for the SLB we would like to have a few more members to serve in the various teams, especially Personnel. If you are interested, please fill out an SLB application and submit it to Pastor Suzanne by November 5th. Applications can be found on the desk in the Welcome Center.

About Megan Connley

Young Adult Enneagram Weekend

M P

January 26-27

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding yourself and others by discovering your personality type. The Enneagram can provide insight into your behaviors, your challenges and your true strengths. It can provide insights into your relationships – both personal and business. It can help us see the way to move in new directions – embrace new ideas – be free from old habits – have more confidence and courage. This event is for people who have never heard of the Enneagram to people who can’t stop talking about it!

Details:

Friday, January 26 6:00p-9:00p Intro to Enneagram

I'm Meagan Connley, a traumainformed Enneagram and somatic therapy practitioner + mindset and embodiment guide based in the greater Cincinnati

• Thoughtful teaching of what the Enneagram is, how it works, and why it is so valuable for growth

area. In addition to my MBA and

• Detail on each of the 9 types from a whole-person perspective so that you walk away knowing yourself and others more deeply

12 years of corporate analytics and consulting experience, I

• Space for self-reflection and group discussion

Enneagram training through IEA

• Tips for integrating the tool into daily ways of living

accredited programs, and am

Saturday, January 27 10:00a-12:00p Session 1 - Ground and Center + Stances • Regroup from day before, reflection, questions, and ahha moments so far • Stances will further exploring how we approach getting our needs met + which center we repress or use most ineffectively 1:30p-3:30p Session 2 - The Enneagram Symbol and Holy Ideas + Harmonic Triad The Enneagram Symbol and Holy Ideas • The Enneagram symbol provides guidance for working with the system through the laws of unity, creation, and process • When we step out of duality and fixation, experiencing a clear mind, the Holy Ideas arise naturally from our wholeness Harmonic Triad: Stress Reactions & Navigation Problems • How we defend against loss and disappointment + cope when we don’t get our core needs met

have over 170 hours of

also certified in Somatic Trauma Therapy, Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead curriculum, PSYCH-K®, Yin Yoga, Breathwork, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

My Approach to the Enneagram The Enneagram is a tool for remembering our wholeness. It reminds us of our gifts and how to be more present in our true selves. Through clear and kind teaching, I use the Enneagram to highlight how we get stuck and ways we defend ourselves, so that together we can bring compassionate awareness to our patterns in service of our individual and collective growth.

219-877-4318

For more information and to register please visit: http://hydeparkchurch.org/young-adult-ministry/

meagan@presencewithlove.com

Tuesday Mornings with Pastor Todd

January 2 – February 20, 2024

Tuesday Morning 10:00 a.m. in the Refectory The Book Your Church Doesn't Want You To Read, Tim Leedom The Editor and authors who have spent years of study, research and investigation share in a general point of view - the view that the religious beliefs held by many people in the United States and other countries, are totally unfounded. The foundation of the book is the spirit of free inquiry, from the ancient Greeks - Pythagoras, Socrates and others. This book is an enquiry into crucial issues of today. These issues need examination, for we are now all villagers in the global electronic village of the world, of which social commentator Marshall Mcluhan spoke of 30 years ago. This is not an anti-religious book. The search for the meaning of life started long before Moses and, Jesus, Mohammed or organized religion. This book is a reference guide that is meant to be challenging and informative.

November Donation Drive New Life Furniture Bank provides new & gently used furniture and household items to families and individuals in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton area who are leaving homelessness, escaping abuse, and living in extreme poverty. For the month of November, we will collect these items:

• New bed pillows • Small pots and pans • Towels (bath, kitchen, etc.) • Food storage containers

Please place your donations in the entryway bins anytime during the month. Soul Builders Sunday School Class thanks you for your generosity!

Support our local partnerships Serve projects for all ages and abilities

3RD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Nov. 18th, Dec. 16th, Jan. 20th

To find out what opportunities are available visit http://hydeparkchurch.org/superserve-saturday/

Tenisha "Ava" Williams

Gabrielle Roffe

The 3 Year Goal in our Strategic Plan states that: “As co-creators in God’s unfolding story, we commit to practices that build a beloved diverse intergenerational community that includes 250 new people investing in the life of the church and community with half under the age of 45 by 2026.” In order to better understand what practices will help us build a beloved diverse intergenerational community, and what our constraints are, we are working with Solution Consulting Co. Our consultants had initial meetings with the staff, SLB, and congregation on October 23 & 24. We will continue to work with them into 2024 as we reflect on our goals and think about next steps for our work in ministry at the OTR campus. The Bradleys and The Warehouse will conclude their ministry there by Dec. 31, 2023. We hope you will take advantage of the various trainings and reflection opportunities that they are offering. To find out more about Solution Consulting Co. go to https://www. solutionconsulting.co

Update on The United Methodist Church On October 28th the West Ohio Annual Conference of the UMC held a special session of the Annual Conference for the purpose of voting on: the 2024 budget, disaffiliating churches, a recommendation to sell two of the West Ohio camps, and to elect delegates so that we will have a full delegation for General and Jurisdictional Conference. This is the last opportunity for West Ohio churches to disaffiliate under the parameters approved in 2019. The churches that are leaving are doing so to because they are more conservative in their approach to the interpretation of scripture and tradition than the UMC as a whole. At the end of this year the West Ohio Conference will have had 30% of its churches vote to no longer be United Methodist. General Conference will take place from April 23-May 3. There is hope that plans for regionalization and removing restrictive language in the Book of Discipline will help the church move past division and focus on our mission. Pastors Todd and Suzanne are Jurisdictional Conference delegates who can serve as alternates for General Conference as needed. Jurisdictional Conference will take place in July. During that time bishops retire, are elected, and are given any new assignments. At this Jurisdictional Conference Bishop Palmer will retire and another bishop will be assigned to lead our Annual Conference.

YOUNG ADULT ADVENT STUDY

AN UNLIKELY ADVENT This Advent season, young adults are invited to gather on Monday nights starting November 27 through December 18 from 7:00p-8:30p at Bean and Barley’s downstairs community table. Enjoy your favorite beverage as we take a close look at some of the unlikely people we encounter in the stories of Jesus’ birth. Perhaps you will discover that your story is more aligned with these men and women than you first realized, and ultimately that their story and yours are part of God’s unfolding of the Christmas story. Each week stands on its own, come when you can! For this study, you are invited to watch a video each week before we gather using Amplify Media. For more information and to see the weekly schedule visit our website by scanning the QR code. 25

ACTIVITIES & things NOVEMBER

3 First Friday Fellowship, 12:00pm 4 & 5 Colaw Lecture Series: Kaitlin Curtice 5 Romania Information Meeting, 10:30am &12:00pm 9-15 Colombia Exploratory Partnership Visit 10-12 High School Mini Retreat 12 Coffee Chat with the Pastors, 10:30am 12-19 Found House Hosting 18 Super Serve Saturday Bust-a-Crust 19 Thanksgiving Basket Sunday 23 Thanksgiving Holiday! Office Closed 24 Thanksgiving Holiday! Office Closed 29 Preschool Family Movie Night, 6:00pm

DECEMBER

1 First Friday Fellowship, 12:00pm 2 Advent Retreat, 8:30am-12:00pm 3 1st Sunday of Advent 10 Live Nativity, 5:00pm-7:30pm 10 New Members Class, 12:15-2:00pm 10 2nd Sunday of Advent 13 Jazz Vespers Service, 7:00pm 16 Super Serve Saturday 17 3rd Sunday of Advent 24 4th Sunday of Advent, One combined service 10:00am 24 Christmas Eve Services, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm, 11:00pm 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 25-29 Church Office Closed

Pre-Orders Deadline is December 4

Walk & Craft Sale Sunday, December 10th It’s the annual holiday event everyone is talking about… United Women in Faith (UWF) at HPCUMC raise funds to support local charities with 100% of the proceeds supporting our local mission partners serving women, children and families. Your contribution to our fundraising campaign will lift up our most vulnerable. PLEASE Consider PRE-ORDERING your Sweet Treats BY MONDAY DECEMBER 4, 2023 for PICK UP SUNDAY December 10th in the WELCOME CENTER or choose a delivery option. THANK YOU for your continued support of this annual event! Payment is expected at time of delivery, cash or check payable to UMW. Visit www.hydeparkchurch.org and order today!

A Weekend of Thanksgiving November 18th & 19th

Save the dates and make it a weekend of thanksgivings and giving back together! Our annual Thanksgiving Baskets will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19th, plus Bust-A-Crust will be at HPC with our Super Serve Saturday the 18th! Don't miss the chance to make a big difference this Thanksgiving season.

Donate here

Suzanne Allen Todd Anderson Dana Calhoun Meredith Menius

Volunteer

Christine McHenry Ben Owen Kate Smith Julie Vail

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Todd D. Anderson

Pastor of Mission & Outreach and Young Adult Ministry

Rev. Kate Smith