Daylight Saving Time will end one week later this year! When you head for bed on Saturday, November 1, reset your clocks by moving them back one hour.
     There are several things you can do with that one hour after you have caught up on the extra sleep. No doubt you will be up earlier, so why not think about trying a Sunday School class?

All Saints

      Sunday, November 2 is All Saints’ Day. Here at CCUMC, there will be a Service of Remembrance for those of our congregation who have moved on to life eternal. During the 11:00am Worship, candles will be lighted and a bell will ring for each of the following:

Mick Dawson
Margaret Burns
Ruth Esau
Helen Jezewski
Audrey Katzenberger
Faron Alexander
Jason Jezewski
Stanley Kirn
Robert Keating

Annual Charge Conference

Wednesday, November 5
6:15pm for Staff Pastor-Parish Relations
7:00pm Service of Celebration and Reports

****held at the Gagetown UMC***

The Owendale and Gagetown Churches will have their S/PPRC following worship.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. Come and meet Flat Wesley!

Only Six More Years?                                           Rev. Paul

     Fifteen years ago a book was published by Abingdon Press, associated with The United Methodist Publishing House, written by the Rev. Bill Easum with the strange title, Dancing with Dinosaurs.
      It was read by hundreds of thousands of pastors and lay people, not only across the country, but around the world. It was a book that made some pretty controversial predictions. Nevertheless, those predictions have turned out to be pretty accurate.
One of the more startling things Easum had to say was, “North America is caught up in the crack between what was and what is emerging. This crack began opening in 1960 and will close sometime around the year 2014.” Then, Easum listed sixteen things that will/have changed during that time, changes that we can either ignore or make use of, either to our peril or to our benefit.
      Like them our not, here is a list of those changes.
1. Ministry in the church will go from being dominated by clergy to being performed by laity.
2. North America will go from being mostly churched to being mostly unchurched.
3. Truth will go from being discovered to being discerned.
4. Truth will be defined by what works and technology will define truth.
5. Values that were determined by participation in the corporate environment will be individually determined.
6. Relationships that were once determined by participation in the corporate environment will be individually determined.
7. Set bureaucracies will have a hard time, but entrepreneurs will do well. Organizations that do well will be those that are able to change very quickly.
8. Organizations that focus on the rich or the poor will do better than those who focus on the middle class, as the middle class reluctantly continues to shrink.
9. Nationalism is being replaced by a global economy and global networks.
10. The role of cities will be replaced by localities.
11. Interactive media, like computers, will replace static media, like books.
12. Decentralization will lead to an emphasis on team work, diversity, and creativity.
13. Knowing how to process knowledge will be more important than knowing how to collect knowledge.
14. North America will go from being dominated by whites to those of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
15. Decision making will go from being male dominated to being inclusive of both genders.
16. The Protestant work ethic will be challenged by an emphasis on fulfillment and personal meaning.
      Those who have adjusted to these changes over the past few years have been doing fairly well compared to those who have been ignoring them. In 1993 Easum claimed that those who ignored these changes will soon begin to regret it, especially if they did not begin working on them before 2001.
     So, the question we may ask is, “How will this affect the church and those of us who are a part of it?” Easum suggests that, if anything, we can look to the early church for an answer to this question. Look at this table:

     I think we can all agree that following the model set by the early church is best. But, the question is: “How can we get there from here?”
      I invite your participation and ideas as we work on ways to make use of the changes taking place around us.
      May God bless us as we work together in the vineyard!

It is an anomaly of modern life that many find giving to be a burden. Such persons have omitted a preliminary giving. If one first give himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.                                              John S. Bonnell (Newsletter Newsletter 10/’02)

St. Jude Bike-a-Thon Update

Dear Friends,

     The 28th annual Cass City Bike-A-Thon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was once again a resounding success. This year, 31 riders raised $1931 for the famous institution in Memphis, Tennessee. I am pleased to tell you that 14 of those riders are affiliated with CCUMC.
     Switching from spring to fall for the bike-a-thon seemed to be a successful idea. We had twice as many riders as last year, and made $792 more than we did in 2007.
The part that our church plays in this event is indispensable to its success! This year, six more adults from our church joined in the fun of riding (and collecting pledges!). Their spirit really added to the enjoyment that day. From Linda Parrish’s help with paperwork, to all the donators of pledges and groceries, and all the fabulous adult volunteers…. (Betsy and Luis, we couldn’t do it without you)….this church really makes the St. Jude Bike-A-Thon possible in Cass City!
      Thank you so much for your continued support of this event.

                                 Sincerely,
                                             Linda Derfiny
                                             Cass City Bike-a-thon Chair

Looking at the Calendar

     Have you ever turned over your calendar only to find out some pretty big events were about to happen but you weren’t ready?! This year might be one of those instances when you flip from November to December.
    Ahh, Thanksgiving is over, time to sit back and relax.
Not So!! The First Sunday in Advent is November 30 and the next day is the first Monday in December!! This newsletter will give you a heads up for some really nice things you won’t want to miss.

Greens

Sunday, November 30
3:30pm

     Everyone (singles, couples, young and old) is welcome to help decorate the church for the Advent Season. The church was totally decorated in just a couple of hours!          People have already started contacting Barb Kirn, who will oversee this all-church event again. Barb will have all the assignments for the various areas of the church to be decorated. Decorations will be waiting for you to get started!
      Decorating will be followed by a finger food potluck. Bring your favorite snack food to share! This was a very popular part of last year’s event!
Sunday, November 30 is the First Sunday of Advent.

The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.
G.K. Chesterton (Newsletter Newsletter,10/’02)

Community Dinner

Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Day
***one serving at noon***
held in our fellowship hall.

This meal is open to all, especially those in the community whose families are far away. The full Thanksgiving Dinner of turkey, dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, coleslaw, beverages, and pie is a very popular event. Various churches, community organizations and businesses provide the entire meal at no cost.
Take outs will be available after the meal is over. Watch the local newspaper for the advertisement which will have phone numbers for you to call to place your order.
This event is a total experience in volunteerism. It cannot happen without members of the community stepping up. If you would like to share in this event, contact event organizers Scott Mills or Richard Little.

Experimenting

     By now you’ve probably noticed this newsletter is a different format - again! I like the magazine layout, but after struggling to fold the last newsletter with the extra fold to get it down to a size with the least expensive postage, I thought we’d try the single sheets and see how hard it is for our volunteers. I know many of you with computers don’t want to even see the paper version! We have thirty folks with internet connection. Not nearly enough to make a dent in our mailing costs by abandoning our permit. It was suggested we mail to doctors’ offices - but if you would black out your address, you could drop yours in a waiting room or salon somewhere or give to a neighbor and it could become a great evangelism tool!                                         Linda

United Methodist Women

     The next meeting of the UMW will be Monday, November 3 at noon. Group 1, along with co-hostesses Connie Schwaderer and Shirley Wisenbach, will prepare and serve the luncheon.

     Bring your World Thank Offering boxes in. New ones will be ready to be picked up.

    Goodie Boxes will be packed for college students and servicepeople.

Goodie Boxes and Addresses

      Each fall, college students and servicepeople receive a box full of goodies. That is, if we have correct addresses. Please check with the office by phone or email (ccumc@airadv.net) to make sure we have the right addresses.
      Each year the boxes are different - whatever donations are brought in are divided as equally as possible among the boxes. It is a great treat to get a box from the church, even if the student doesn’t live on campus. The treats help make the driving shorter.
Suggested donations are: any type of candy, gum, microwave popcorn, individually packaged entree, soup and flavored drink mixes, pudding cups, pop tarts, breakfast bars, individual packages of pretzels, potato chips, nuts, raisins and crackers, peanut butter or cheese crackers; pens, pencils and erasers; envelopes and stamps; toothpaste/ toothbrushes; lotions; deodorants; shampoo. Check out the travel section of the pharmacy for smaller sizes! There is a big brown box in the north closet for your donations.
       Your donations need to be here no later than Sunday, November 2 or for those attending the meeting - on Monday.

14th Annual Bazaar and Lunch
Saturday, November 8
8:00am - 3:00pm
Lunch served from 11:00am - 2:00pm

     The buzzing has begun! Here and there, pieces are being assembled for the Bazaar! Some are preparing seasonal and holiday decorations, some are doing wood crafts, others putting the final touches on knitted, crocheted or sewn items. Yet others are stocking up on supplies to start baking for the bake sale table and others for the Cookie Walk or Candy Room! Can’t you just smell it now?
     It is such an exciting time. It involves lots of work, some of it hard and most of it fun. It will take lots of workers to pull it off, but in the end, it is all worth the friendships, the laughs, sharing of talents, and the life it brings to the church.
     New this year will be a Straw Draw. We will need a table or two full of great gift items. Items for the entire family range in size and price but by buying a certain number of straws for a price, the buyer will pull the prize name or number from inside the straw and that is what they get. Some suggestions for items: (new or very good used items only): Knick-knacks, vases, all sizes candle and flower arrangements, tools and gadgets (household and workshop); wallets, pen sets, coupons from restaurants, hunting or fishing items; cutlery sets, coloring and reading books, gift certificates or gift cards from stores in whatever amount you wish to donate, jewelry, toys and games, holiday kitchen towel sets, wall paintings/ pictures, maybe you received a gift that just didn’t work for you, re-gift it! You get the idea! If this works this year, keep it in mind at the end of the year closeout sales!!
     Attic Treasure coordinator, Char Fahrner is looking for some nice additions for that area. This table has items usually found at better garage sales, but more along the line of collectibles or knick-knacks and antiques.
    Sugar-free baked goods are needed and are very quick sellers.
    There will also be an array of very unusual but very lovely home decorations and other things created by several ladies in the church. Can’t wait to see what they have designed.
    It is amazing how things come together!!

Dorcas

     Last month was the BIG Turkey Dinner. As always, it took lots of workers to get it all ready, served, delivered and then the clean up. It is always exciting to have new faces among the dedicated workers and they were greatly appreciated! Every dinner takes a lot of work, but it is doubled for this dinner. A very big thank you to everyone who worked at several tasks, peeled, baked, and mashed, those who made pies, those who set up and put the table service on the tables, took down the tables and chairs, those who mopped floors and the kitchen. There really aren’t enough words to express the gratitude for this selfless giving!

Total Meals: 449
(Guests: 216; Take Outs: 190; Workers: 43)
Donation: $2467.31 (but there was still some money outstanding for take-outs.)

November Dorcas Dinner Menu:
                                                                 Meatloaf

Ladies’ Christmas Dinner

Monday, December 1
6:00pm Social Time
6:30pm Dinner

       The Ladies’ Christmas Dinner will be just FOUR days after Thanksgiving so it is not too early to begin making your plans for this annual holiday event!
      The theme for the table decorations will be nativities or items of the nativity. Judy Wallace is looking for volunteers to decorate and host tables. If you don’t have an idea, Judy will come up with one! Give her a call.
      The program will feature the music of Jeff Randall.  The congregation is invited to attend the program at 7:30pm.
      Tickets will be on sale shortly.

Secret Sisters’ Brunch

       The Secret Sister Brunch will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 10:00am. Names for your new Secret Sister will be drawn and you will find out who remembered your special days this past year. If you would like to become a Secret Sister, you can talk to Connie Schwaderer.

Blue Water Habitat for Humanity and WNFR/WNFA Radio presents
“We Need Each Other” Concert
Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm
McMorran Place Theater in Port Huron

Call 248-645-6666 or www.ticketmaster.com

Turkey Dinner

Saturday, November 8
4:30-7:00pm
Shabbona UMC

Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, squash, corn, salads, rolls, beverages and homemade pie.

Free will offering with proceeds to send children to Bay Shore Camp.

Thanksgiving Service

Flowers (Please use real flowers and plants.)

November    2    Wagg Family
                     9    Roy & Kathy Tuckey
                   16   Jack & Lois Gallagher
                   23   UMW
                   30

Lock Up

November     2    Gil & Connie Schwaderer
                      9    Mick Kirn
                    16   Rod Sherman
                    23   Ted Furness
                    30   Craig Retherford