NOVEMBER 2018 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
Those first few cool fronts of the year always prompt us to think ahead to the holidays. My favorite holiday, aside from Christmas and Easter, happens in the month of November, Thanksgiving. It is a time when we can embrace the things that bring a spirit of gratitude.
FALL COLORS AND LIGHTHOUSES OF THE GREAT LAKES Several members of the Senior Adult Ministry took a trip to see the Fall Colors. The trip began in Chicago with a city tour featuring the Sears Tower, Wrigley Building, The Bean and Navy Pier. The group traveled on to Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Museum. From there it was a ferry ride to Mackinac Island for a carriage tour plus lunch at the famous Grand Hotel. Next was Green Bay for a tour of Lambeau Field, home stadium of the Green Bay Packers. We drove through Door County and our final stop was an Upper Dells Boat Cruise.
I have a friend who sees gratitude as an essential life practice. I believe it comes with a traveling companion, the spirit of humility. To be genuinely thankful, we also need to be humble, knowing that we receive our blessings from others, but mostly from God through others. Humility and gratitude pass through our heart and soul together as one. When someone stops you to express their gratitude, you will always see the fingerprints of humility on their lives, and vice versa. We give thanks for our many blessings each day! Our travelers have returned from their fall adventure to Michigan! I know their stories are rich and the memories are cherished. Don’t miss this opportunity to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and take a moment to start planning for the train trip through the Canadian Rockies next summer. It promises to be another outstanding, first-class journey. We will share all the details to help you prepare for next year! Our Senior Adult Ministry shifts into high gear during the holidays. The Goldenaires Choir will be singing holiday favorites all around the area. I hope you will attend some of their performances, so that you can help them in the ministry to those whom they serve. I know the nursing homes would be delighted to have extra guests for their performances.
Arlene Holden on a horse drawn carriage ride on Mackinac Island
Row 1: JoAnn Johnson and Gail Horowitz Row 2: Kay Meador, Brenda McClendon and Karen Engeling Row 3: Helen Burgdorf and Jane Cannon
We also welcome the many new families who have joined our church in the past few months. I invite those who are Senior Adults to join us for our Sunday school classes or at any of our Senior Adult activities and events. You will find a calendar here in this newsletter, but you can also check the church website for more information. We want to roll out the welcome mat to all who come, especially as we approach the holidays. It is a great time to be in ministry together! Grace and peace,
Judy Marshall, JoAnn Johnson, Lana Dillman, Fay Pevey, Kathy Wynns, Lelah Feeley, Judy Bridges, Faye Dillon, Carolyn Lentz and Darlene Daniels
The cheese heads... at Lambeau Field: Kay Meador, Robert O’Brien and Wanda O’Brien