Winfield UMC September / October Newsletter

WINFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Fall Newsletter 20 Radwin Drive Winfield WV, 25213 304.586.3795 winfieldumc@frontier.com

Pastor's Letter Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

Thanks for checking out Winfield United Methodist Church’s newsletter. As our youth and children head back to school, I encourage you to pray for all our community’s students, teachers, administrators, and staff. It’s also important for us to pray for those families that are sending their children off to college for the first time. My wife Kendra is one of those teachers who just began the school year teaching at Buffalo High School! May all who begin this new school year be blessed with protection, wisdom, guidance, patience, and perseverance.

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about, “Why does church matter?” Why does it matter that we are connected to a community of faith? I imagine (at least I hope!) you can list several reasons why being connected to a church family is critical to our growth as followers of Jesus Christ. Yet the world doesn’t need another list of the reasons why. What the world needs is you. The world needs to hear your story. What’s your why? Why does church matter to you? What difference has it made in your life? How is your faith richer, deeper, and more meaningful because of your connection to your faith community? Your unchurched friends, family and neighbors want to know “WHY?” I’m reminded of the time when John the Baptizer sent a messenger to Jesus with the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus responds: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Jesus focuses in on the impact that His life and ministry is having on people. What impact is being a regular part of the church having for you? If you were going to return to John and tell him what you have seen and heard, what would you say?

What’s your why? The Why of our faith journeys are critical if we seek to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s not enough to tell people about church. Rather, tell them why church matters and what your connection to the church has done for you.

I’ve already heard from a great deal of you who answered this question: “We feel this is a place where we have a family who loves and cares for us. We feel closer to God when we are here.”

"This church...brought us the gift of giving our children a strong foundation in faith and knowing God.” “I have fellowship with other Christians and learn more about God’s love.”

“The love and fellowship of our church fills my heart with joy and happiness.”

We have a hard time talking about ourselves. Perhaps we do not believe our stories and experiences are particularly interesting, compelling, or remarkable.

Perhaps we carry with us a kind of modesty that prevents us from sharing our personal witness. I also wonder if sharing our own story calls us to a kind of vulnerability and openness about our lives that can be uncomfortable and intimidating. Yet all our stories are powerful treasures of God working in our lives. The world yearns to hear them.

I’m challenging you to answer the simple question, Why Church? Share the story of why this church matters to you! Share your story in one sentence or up to one paragraph. You can write them on the “Why Church?” bulletin insert, email them to winfieldumc@frontier.com, or share them via Facebook or Twitter from your page with the handle, @WinfieldWVUMC. With your permission, we’ll share these stories with those inside and outside the church walls!

Grace and Peace, +Pastor Chris

Welcome new members!

Aaron and Brittany Holmes live in Scott Depot with their 8 month old daughter, Aurora. Aaron currently works for the Bureau of Child Support and Brittany is an elementary school teacher at Edgewood Elementary in Charleston. The Holmes’ are very excited to be new members of Winfield UMC and hope to become involved with church activities.

September

September Birthdays 3: Wayne Bennett 5: Sally Summers 7: Linda Legg 7: Bob Legg 8: Jesse McClure 9: Shane Dunn 10: Kara Jarvis 13: Linda Hunt 16: Kathy Burns 19: Tammy Bartron 20: Stephen DeBord 24: Nicholas McWhorter 26: Steve Fisher

Anniversaries 1: Chris and Kendra Scott 2: Alan & Beth Handley 5: Bill & Phyllis Stinnette

October

October Birthdays

Anniversaries

2: Madison Shafer 3: Ronald Koster 6: Pat Barthlow 7: Bill Davis 13: Gwyneth Capehart 13: Ainslee Capehart 16: Jo Ann Brick 21: Whitley Winter 23: Laura Shortridge 23: Jane Workman 23: Jerrie McClanahan 25: Isabella Cortellesi 26: Jaxon Adkins 27: Jenny Seibert 29: C T Douglas 31: Dave Shortridge

12: Frank & Reva Capehart 15: Heather & Brian Cortellesi 16: Dan & Jenny Seibert 16: Jeff & Joyce Jarrell 18: Tom & Jane Workman 21: Frank & Linda Capehart 21: Gary & Percilla Bailey 21: Bob & Natalie Hartley 26: Bill & Elaine Martin 29: Lesha & Glenn Hazelett

Serving the Church September

October

8:30 Service Roy & Linda Buckalew

11:00 Service

Clyde & Pat Legg

Greeters Steve & Janetta Burdette

Tom & Jane Workman

Ushers McWhorter Family

Tom & Jane Workman Tom & Debbie Orrison

Communion McWhorter Family

Tom & Jane Workman Carroll & JoAnn Jones

Bread Jodi Adkins

Linda Buckalew

Youth News Hello and happy fall!

WUMC Youth is ready to get back into the swing of things! If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or family friends in 6th – 12th grade, they are welcome to join or our youth group. Meeting times are 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Sundays and 6:10 PM- 7:10 PM on Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted). A schedule of upcoming events and activities is below.

September 9: Game Night at Ronald McDonald House 6:00 PM 15: Steel Drum Concert / Picnic (No Youth Meeting) 28: Gritt’s Farm 11:00 AM October 6: Hike for Hunger 19: King’s Island 23: Trunk or Treat / Fall Festival (No Youth Meeting) 30: Halloween Game Night The youth group has many opportunities for adult volunteers.

Please prayerfully consider lending a hand with the youth in one of the following ways.

Hike for Hunger Sunday, October 6th is the Heart + Hand Hike for Hunger. This event raises money to support their various programs within our community. There are two ways for you to get involved: Sign up to participate in the walk (entry forms are in the narthex or you can register online on the Heart + Hand Outreach Ministries Facebook page)

OR Sponsor our group (sponsorship sheet is on the youth bulletin board in the main hallway)

Prayer Partners Select an envelope from the youth bulletin board (main hallway), review the student’s information and pray for them throughout the course of this school year. You may send small gifts, cards, etc. as you feel lead. You may remain anonymous or let your chosen student know who you are.

Small Group Leaders Finding curricula that is appropriate for both middle and high students is a challenge.

For this reason, we would like to split the groups for Bible study. If you are interested in leading a group, there is a sign-up sheet on the youth bulletin board (main hallway). A one-month commitment is required, but you may sign up for more if you feel lead. You must be able to attend all meetings during your chosen month or find someone to fill in for you if you have a scheduling conflict. You may provide your own lesson materials (must be submitted for review and approved before use) or materials can be provided for you.

Wish List We have an Amazon Wishlist! Search for WinfieldYouthWV@gmail.com If you have any questions or would like to support our youth in a different way, please let me know.

Thanks for your support!

Gayla Van Horn 304.690.1590 gaylaflora@gmail.com

Other Announcements

Steel Drum Concert Sunday September 15th Join us for a night of music, celebration, and fellowship with St. Mark's UMC Steel Drummers!

Community Dinner at 5:00 PM

Concert at 6:00 PM

The Winfield United Methodist Church Newsletter is published every other month. If you would like to contribute to the November / December issue, please send your article to Reva at the church office or Gayla Van Horn by Friday, October 25th.